Assessment of Social, Economic, and Geographic Vulnerability Pre- and Post-Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Texas

Abstract

Across the United States, low-income populations, people of color (POC), and marginalized and disenfranchised groups experience an unequal burden from environmental hazards such as Superfund sites, toxic release inventory (TRI) facilities, and other locally unwanted land uses (LULUs). Disproportionate distribution of these exposure sources causes inequities in exposure to natural disasters such as hurricanes since LULUs could release chemicals and contaminants that can exacerbate environmental injustice and increase vulnerability within communities that are susceptible to flooding. We conducted spatial analysis to examine proximity to these environmental hazards and determined the vulnerability of underserved populations in Houston, Texas, to chemical contaminants mobilized by Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Health care infrastructure (e.g., federally qualified health centers [FQHCs], hospitals, and home health centers) were also assessed as potential salutogens since Houston is home to a large concentration of industrial sites. We determined significant differences in aggregate pollutant counts between quartiles of both POC (51 sources in the lowest quartile and 217 in the highest) and people in poverty for TRI facilities (Chi-Square = 27.402, DF = 3, p < 0.001), air pollution sources (Chi-Square = 32.092, DF = 3, p < 0.001), and FQHCs (Chi-Square = 29.029, DF = 3, p < 0.001); whereas no significant differences existed for percent elderly and home health centers (Chi-Square = 4.2731, DF = 3, p = 0.2334). Essentially, low-income communities of color experience disproportionate exposure to chemical hazards mobilized by floods, and the elderly especially lack access to quality medical care. Policies should aim toward reducing exposure to environmental toxicants and targeting health care resources to under-resourced populations since differential exposure could adversely impact the health of residents.