GITNUXREPORT 2025

Environmental Racism Statistics

Environmental racism exposes communities of color to disproportionate health and environmental hazards.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

75% of people living near hazardous waste sites in the United States are people of color

Statistic 2

Minority communities in the U.S. are exposed to 50% higher levels of air pollution than white communities

Statistic 3

African Americans are three times more likely to live in flood-prone areas than white Americans

Statistic 4

Native American communities experience water contamination levels that are twice as high as the national average

Statistic 5

The median income of neighborhoods located near hazardous waste facilities is $20,000 less than those farther away

Statistic 6

Communities of color in the U.S. are 63% more likely to be located near multiple environmental hazards

Statistic 7

In the U.S., Latinx communities face 40% higher levels of air pollutants like PM2.5 than predominantly white neighborhoods

Statistic 8

Minorities are twice as likely to live in neighborhoods with poor air quality that exceeds federal standards

Statistic 9

Over 90% of people living within 3 miles of hazardous waste facilities are people of color or low-income individuals

Statistic 10

Native American reservations often have the highest levels of lead in drinking water among U.S. communities

Statistic 11

Communities with high percentages of minorities are 2.3 times more likely to be exposed to environmental pollution that impacts health

Statistic 12

Hispanic communities in Texas are exposed to air pollution levels that are 30% higher than the state's average

Statistic 13

Environmental injustice affects over 100 million Americans, predominantly people of color and low-income

Statistic 14

The average exposure to industrial pollution for Black Americans is 1.3 times higher than for white Americans

Statistic 15

Climate change disproportionately impacts people of color, who are 2.1 times more likely to live in areas vulnerable to extreme weather events

Statistic 16

Hispanic children are 40% more likely to live in neighborhoods with high levels of air pollution

Statistic 17

80% of the 500+ U.S. Superfund sites are located within or near communities of color

Statistic 18

A majority of the residents living near toxic waste facilities are minorities, with data showing 60% of hazardous waste sites are in minority neighborhoods

Statistic 19

In Houston, Texas, neighborhoods with higher minority populations are exposed to 50% higher levels of air pollution

Statistic 20

The disproportionate location of landfills in minority communities results in increased health risks, including asthma and cancer, for residents

Statistic 21

Native American women face disproportionately high rates of environmental health issues like mercury poisoning, linked to contaminated water sources

Statistic 22

Urban heat islands disproportionately affect neighborhoods of color, increasing temperatures by up to 7°F compared to affluent white neighborhoods

Statistic 23

The siting of industrial facilities in minority communities leads to significantly higher levels of toxic chemical exposure, increasing health disparities

Statistic 24

Low-income communities of color experience pollution-related health problems at rates 2-3 times higher than affluent white communities

Statistic 25

Environmental policies often overlook the needs of marginalized communities, leading to persistent environmental health disparities

Statistic 26

The incidence of cancer linked to industrial pollution is significantly higher in minority-dense areas, with some studies showing double the rates compared to white neighborhoods

Statistic 27

In California, communities with higher Hispanic populations are more likely to be located near oil fields and refineries, exposing residents to harmful pollutants

Statistic 28

Native American tribes often encounter challenges in enforcing environmental regulations, leading to persistent contamination issues

Statistic 29

Gender and racial disparities intersect in environmental health risks, with minority women facing both higher exposure and vulnerability to pollution-related health problems

Statistic 30

The siting of landfills and waste incinerators is statistically correlated with higher crime rates and socioeconomic disadvantages in minority neighborhoods

Statistic 31

People of color are underrepresented in environmental decision-making, which contributes to the persistence of environmental racism

Statistic 32

Environmental cleanup and remediation efforts are disproportionately allocated away from minority communities, leading to prolonged exposure to pollutants

Statistic 33

Disinvestment in environmental infrastructure in minority neighborhoods contributes to ongoing health disparities and environmental hazards

Statistic 34

Urban zoning policies often segregate minority populations into areas with higher environmental risks, perpetuating structural inequalities

Statistic 35

African American children are 50% more likely to be hospitalized for asthma caused by environmental factors than white children

Statistic 36

Disproportionate siting of hazardous waste facilities in minority communities results in higher rates of cancer and respiratory diseases

Statistic 37

The rate of lead poisoning in children in predominantly Black neighborhoods is twice the national average

Statistic 38

Indigenous populations face water insecurity at rates three times higher than the national average, with contamination and shortages disproportionately impacting their health

Statistic 39

Minority communities face a 25% higher risk of developing illnesses linked to exposure to environmental toxins

Statistic 40

Children of color are 75% more likely to be diagnosed with asthma than their white counterparts, linked to environmental pollution

Statistic 41

40% of low-income housing has lead-based paint hazards, disproportionately affecting minority families

Statistic 42

In Chicago, predominantly Black neighborhoods are exposed to particulates levels 55% above the city's average, increasing health risks

Statistic 43

Disparities in environmental exposure contribute to a life expectancy gap of up to 7 years between minority and white populations

Statistic 44

The percentage of children of color diagnosed with lead poisoning has decreased nationally but remains alarmingly high in specific minority communities, with rates above 10%

Statistic 45

Across U.S. urban areas, marginalized communities experience heat-related mortality rates 2-3 times higher due to lack of green space and cooling infrastructure

Statistic 46

Transitioning to renewable energy sources in minority communities is projected to create economic opportunities but is currently limited by policies and infrastructure

Statistic 47

The incidence of asthma among children in low-income and minority communities is rising three times faster than in higher-income, predominantly white communities

Statistic 48

Access to clean water in Native American communities remains a critical issue with over 30% of households lacking reliable safe drinking water

Statistic 49

Many Native American communities lack access to proper sewage and sanitation facilities, impacting health and perpetuating environmental injustices

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Key Highlights

75% of people living near hazardous waste sites in the United States are people of color
Minority communities in the U.S. are exposed to 50% higher levels of air pollution than white communities
African Americans are three times more likely to live in flood-prone areas than white Americans
Native American communities experience water contamination levels that are twice as high as the national average
The median income of neighborhoods located near hazardous waste facilities is $20,000 less than those farther away
Communities of color in the U.S. are 63% more likely to be located near multiple environmental hazards
In the U.S., Latinx communities face 40% higher levels of air pollutants like PM2.5 than predominantly white neighborhoods
Minorities are twice as likely to live in neighborhoods with poor air quality that exceeds federal standards
African American children are 50% more likely to be hospitalized for asthma caused by environmental factors than white children
Over 90% of people living within 3 miles of hazardous waste facilities are people of color or low-income individuals
Native American reservations often have the highest levels of lead in drinking water among U.S. communities
Communities with high percentages of minorities are 2.3 times more likely to be exposed to environmental pollution that impacts health
Hispanic communities in Texas are exposed to air pollution levels that are 30% higher than the state's average

Despite making up a significant portion of the U.S. population, communities of color bear the brunt of environmental hazards, facing higher exposure to pollution, water contamination, and climate-related disasters that threaten their health, safety, and future.

Environmental Justice and Pollution Exposure

75% of people living near hazardous waste sites in the United States are people of color
Minority communities in the U.S. are exposed to 50% higher levels of air pollution than white communities
African Americans are three times more likely to live in flood-prone areas than white Americans
Native American communities experience water contamination levels that are twice as high as the national average
The median income of neighborhoods located near hazardous waste facilities is $20,000 less than those farther away
Communities of color in the U.S. are 63% more likely to be located near multiple environmental hazards
In the U.S., Latinx communities face 40% higher levels of air pollutants like PM2.5 than predominantly white neighborhoods
Minorities are twice as likely to live in neighborhoods with poor air quality that exceeds federal standards
Over 90% of people living within 3 miles of hazardous waste facilities are people of color or low-income individuals
Native American reservations often have the highest levels of lead in drinking water among U.S. communities
Communities with high percentages of minorities are 2.3 times more likely to be exposed to environmental pollution that impacts health
Hispanic communities in Texas are exposed to air pollution levels that are 30% higher than the state's average
Environmental injustice affects over 100 million Americans, predominantly people of color and low-income
The average exposure to industrial pollution for Black Americans is 1.3 times higher than for white Americans
Climate change disproportionately impacts people of color, who are 2.1 times more likely to live in areas vulnerable to extreme weather events
Hispanic children are 40% more likely to live in neighborhoods with high levels of air pollution
80% of the 500+ U.S. Superfund sites are located within or near communities of color
A majority of the residents living near toxic waste facilities are minorities, with data showing 60% of hazardous waste sites are in minority neighborhoods
In Houston, Texas, neighborhoods with higher minority populations are exposed to 50% higher levels of air pollution
The disproportionate location of landfills in minority communities results in increased health risks, including asthma and cancer, for residents
Native American women face disproportionately high rates of environmental health issues like mercury poisoning, linked to contaminated water sources
Urban heat islands disproportionately affect neighborhoods of color, increasing temperatures by up to 7°F compared to affluent white neighborhoods
The siting of industrial facilities in minority communities leads to significantly higher levels of toxic chemical exposure, increasing health disparities
Low-income communities of color experience pollution-related health problems at rates 2-3 times higher than affluent white communities
Environmental policies often overlook the needs of marginalized communities, leading to persistent environmental health disparities
The incidence of cancer linked to industrial pollution is significantly higher in minority-dense areas, with some studies showing double the rates compared to white neighborhoods
In California, communities with higher Hispanic populations are more likely to be located near oil fields and refineries, exposing residents to harmful pollutants
Native American tribes often encounter challenges in enforcing environmental regulations, leading to persistent contamination issues
Gender and racial disparities intersect in environmental health risks, with minority women facing both higher exposure and vulnerability to pollution-related health problems
The siting of landfills and waste incinerators is statistically correlated with higher crime rates and socioeconomic disadvantages in minority neighborhoods
People of color are underrepresented in environmental decision-making, which contributes to the persistence of environmental racism
Environmental cleanup and remediation efforts are disproportionately allocated away from minority communities, leading to prolonged exposure to pollutants
Disinvestment in environmental infrastructure in minority neighborhoods contributes to ongoing health disparities and environmental hazards
Urban zoning policies often segregate minority populations into areas with higher environmental risks, perpetuating structural inequalities

Environmental Justice and Pollution Exposure Interpretation

The staggering reality that over 75% of those living near hazardous waste sites are people of color, combined with disproportionate air, water, and climate-related hazards, underscores that environmental injustice is not just a crisis for ecosystems but a profound marker of racial inequality woven into the fabric of American geography and policy.

Health Outcomes and Environmental Risks

African American children are 50% more likely to be hospitalized for asthma caused by environmental factors than white children
Disproportionate siting of hazardous waste facilities in minority communities results in higher rates of cancer and respiratory diseases
The rate of lead poisoning in children in predominantly Black neighborhoods is twice the national average
Indigenous populations face water insecurity at rates three times higher than the national average, with contamination and shortages disproportionately impacting their health
Minority communities face a 25% higher risk of developing illnesses linked to exposure to environmental toxins
Children of color are 75% more likely to be diagnosed with asthma than their white counterparts, linked to environmental pollution
40% of low-income housing has lead-based paint hazards, disproportionately affecting minority families
In Chicago, predominantly Black neighborhoods are exposed to particulates levels 55% above the city's average, increasing health risks
Disparities in environmental exposure contribute to a life expectancy gap of up to 7 years between minority and white populations
The percentage of children of color diagnosed with lead poisoning has decreased nationally but remains alarmingly high in specific minority communities, with rates above 10%
Across U.S. urban areas, marginalized communities experience heat-related mortality rates 2-3 times higher due to lack of green space and cooling infrastructure

Health Outcomes and Environmental Risks Interpretation

These alarming environmental racism statistics reveal a stark truth: marginalized communities are bearing an unjust and disproportionate health burden, with systemic pollution, hazardous waste siting, and infrastructural neglect fueling disparities that shorten lives and compound inequalities.

Socioeconomic Disparities and Income Inequality

Transitioning to renewable energy sources in minority communities is projected to create economic opportunities but is currently limited by policies and infrastructure
The incidence of asthma among children in low-income and minority communities is rising three times faster than in higher-income, predominantly white communities

Socioeconomic Disparities and Income Inequality Interpretation

While transitioning to renewable energy could breathe new economic life into minority communities, the alarming acceleration of childhood asthma in these areas underscores how environmental racism continues to choke their health and opportunities.

Water Security and Infrastructure Challenges

Access to clean water in Native American communities remains a critical issue with over 30% of households lacking reliable safe drinking water
Many Native American communities lack access to proper sewage and sanitation facilities, impacting health and perpetuating environmental injustices

Water Security and Infrastructure Challenges Interpretation

Despite promises of progress, the fact that over 30% of Native American households lack reliable clean water and essential sanitation facilities underscores the ongoing environmental injustice that threatens both public health and the dignity of indigenous communities.