Community-Based
Mapping of Toxic
Release Inventory Sites Douglass
Community Memphis,
Tennessee
Lisa Johnson and
Derrick Sellars December 2002
Douglass Community
This is a predominantly
African American community located in North Memphis.
Five large chemical
plants border the Douglass Community on the east, west, and south Additionally,
the community is bordered on the north by I-240, a six-lane interstate
highway that contributes vast amounts of pollution from car, truck, and
bus emissions.
Action must be taken
to determine if the community is suffering from the effects of air pollution.
Toxic Chemicals
Many of the chemicals
that are released in the air from the many chemical companies can have
detrimental effects on the residents of the Douglass Community.
One of the chemicals
released, toluene, is a developmental toxicant, that is released from the
Penn Speciality Chemical Company. Another chemical that is released is
carbon tetrachloride, a recognized carcinogen. This chemical is released
from the Velsicol Chemical Corporation.
Methodology
Data was taken from
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Toxic Release Inventory database.
This information
was converted to .dbf files, which enables us to see the amounts of toxins
released in the air from the different chemical companies.
Data was collected
from the years of 1995-2002.
Conclusion
This information
will help inform citizens about the impact of air pollution in their communtiy.
By having knowledge
of the different chemicals that are released from the various companies,
citizens will be able to now discuss the effects of air pollution in the
Douglass Community.
