The United States’ Environmental Protection Agency and Mexico’s Registry of Emissions and Pollutant Transfer track emissions of 329 toxic chemicals from industrial facilities. The Toxic Releases percentile accounts for wind patterns, weather, geography, and the toxicity of each chemical to determine the risk posed to residents of different communities. The higher the percentile, the higher the likelihood of residents experiencing negative health impacts caused by the toxic chemicals. This percentile can be higher either through a greater likelihood of exposure or through poorer expected health outcomes as a result of exposure to particular chemicals. 

 

Analyzing the risk from these chemicals is particularly important for public health, as the tracked chemicals have been linked to brain cancer in children, higher infant mortality rates, low birth weight, cardiovascular disease, and higher overall mortality rates. Further, the dangers of toxic releases contribute to environmental injustice. Multiple studies have shown that low-income areas and people of color are more likely to be affected by toxic releases. Racial and ethnic disparities are even stronger in neighborhoods with median incomes below $25,000.