You’re invited to share your concerns and be part of developing solutions at the…
Environmental Injustice and Health Disparities in the state of South Carolina:
This conference and summit will be an opportunity for you to ask questions, direct what projects the research team conduct and voice your concerns about environmental and other health issues that you are troubled with.
The purpose of this conference and community summit is to showcase current Environmental Health and Environmental Justice efforts in the Charleston Area and the state of South Carolina which will provide a platform to discuss solutions to mitigate and eliminate environmental health treats. This conference will be the catalyst for the budding Environmental Justice Movement in South Carolina by providing best practices for communities, policymakers, and local, state and federal agencies to find solutions to systemic and legacy environmental and health issues.
Your presence is requested and your input needed in order to address these issues.
REGISTRATION INFO
The cost of this conference is FREE.
Breakfast and lunch will also be provided to the conference attendees.
You can register for this event three ways:
- Register online: http://ccrabejconf.eventbrite.com
- Email: send your full name, address and phone number to CCRABEJ@gmail.com
- Contact: Herbert Fraser-Rahim (see info below) below by August 24, 2013.
MORE ABOUT CCRAB
The Charleston Community Research to Action Board (CCRAB) is a collaborative effort of diverse community-based organizations, academic institutions, and other stakeholder groups promoting environmental health and social justice solutions within the Charleston region particularly for burdened and underserved communities. CCRAB uses the Community-based Participatory Research Model to ensure full engagement of the community during all stages of research that leverage results to create environmental public health actions. These actions empower residents to become participatory in the decision making processes that impact where they live, work, and play through education and advocacy to improve environmental conditions, educational attainment, job creation, and home ownership.
CCRAB through its Charleston Area Pollution Prevention Partnership (CAPs) with academic institutions (University of South Carolina, University of Maryland, Tulane University, and Medical University of South Carolina) has been able to
- Collect soil samples in the LAMC communities (Union Heights, Windsor, Howard Heights, Chicora Cherokee, Accabee, Green Grove, Rosemount, Five Mile, and Liberty Hill) it represents. The preliminary results show high levels of various metals and trace elements (arsenic and lead) within neighborhoods with close proximity to heavily trafficked roads, Brownfields, Superfund sites, and industrial operation
- Conduct an Assessment of the ambient air for PM2.5 and PM10 in the three communities of concern (Union Heights, Accabee, and Rosemount)
- Conduct survey methods to gauge community perception of environmental quality and public health which included Photovoice and an Environmental Risk Survey and
- Conduct an assessment of the distribution of community pollution issues using community block assessments and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to characterize and inventory pollution sources within communities.
As a result of this effort, a tool has been developed that will allow residents to map environmental health data collected to help communities identify areas of concern and take action to influence policy changes to address environmental and public health issues.
FOR MORE INFO, CONTACT:
Gerad H. (Skip) Mikell, CCRAB Chairman
Office phone 843-744-8761
Office fax 843-554-5232
Herbert Fraser-Rahim, P.E., CCRAB Environmental Chairman
843-817-1446
herb1373@yahoo.com
Omar Muhammad, Conference & Summit Marketing Chairman
843-442-2282
You can also DOWNLOAD ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND INFO:
Use of a Community-University Partnership to Address Environmental Stressors
[http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/assets/docs_a_e/environmental_justice_and_environmental_health_disparities_lessons_from_the_field.pdf]
