Application of Citizen Science Risk Communication Tools in a Vulnerable Urban Community

Yuqin Jiao, Julie K. Bower, Wansoo Im, Nicholas Basta, John Obrycki, Mohammad Z. Al-Hamdan, Allison Wilder, Claire E. Bollinger, Tongwen Zhang, Luddie Sr. Hatten, Jerrie Hatten and Darryl B. Hood
Additional contact information
Yuqin Jiao: Division of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
Julie K. Bower: Division of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
Wansoo Im: VERTICES, LLC 303 George Street Suite 406, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
Nicholas Basta: Environmental Science Graduate Program, School of Environment and Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
John Obrycki: Environmental Science Graduate Program, School of Environment and Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
Mohammad Z. Al-Hamdan: Universities Space Research Association at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL 35805, USA
Allison Wilder: Division of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
Claire E. Bollinger: Division of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
Tongwen Zhang: Division of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
Luddie Sr. Hatten: Stambaugh-Elwood Citizens for the Environment, LLC Columbus, OH 43207, USA
Jerrie Hatten: Stambaugh-Elwood Citizens for the Environment, LLC Columbus, OH 43207, USA
Darryl B. Hood: Division of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA

IJERPH, 2015, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-24

Abstract: A public participatory geographical information systems (PPGIS) demographic, environmental, socioeconomic, health status portal was developed for the Stambaugh-Elwood (SE) community in Columbus, OH. We hypothesized that soil at SE residences would have metal concentrations above natural background levels. Three aims were developed that allowed testing of this hypothesis. Aim 1 focused on establishing partnerships between academia, state agencies and communities to assist in the development of a community voice. Aim 2 was to design and conduct soil sampling for residents of the SE community. Aim 3 was to utilize our interactive, customized portal as a risk communication tool by allowing residents to educate themselves as to the potential risks from industrial sources in close proximity to their community. Multiple comparisons of means were used to determine differences in soil element concentration by sampling location at p < 0.05. The results demonstrated that eight metals (As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Mo, Se, Tl, Zn) occurred at statistically-significantly greater levels than natural background levels, but most were below risk-based residential soil screening levels. Results were conveyed to residents via an educational, risk-communication informational card. This study demonstrates that community-led coalitions in collaboration with academic teams and state agencies can effectively address environmental concerns.

Keywords: environmental justice; environmental justice index; toxics release inventory; environmental contaminants; health disparities; public health exposome; public participatory geographical information systems; MapplerX (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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