Environmental Injustice? Spatial Analysis and Mapping of 2017-2021 Drinking Water Tap Lead Exposure in Vermont’s Public Schools
Conference Year
2023
Abstract
Vermont’s Act 66 requires all taps in Vermont’s public schools to be tested for lead. This study uses GIS to analyze 2017-2021 public school test results, the first round of testing, in order to discover data patterns and examine if lead exposure is an environmental injustice. The results indicate that lead distribution is not an environmental injustice and that the 4 ppb remediation threshold has resulted in most taps containing lead not being replaced, leaving children’s health at risk. The paper provides recommendations to inform state decision makers and maps to offer context to the public.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Brendan Fisher
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Program/Major
Environmental Studies
Primary Research Category
Social Science
Environmental Injustice? Spatial Analysis and Mapping of 2017-2021 Drinking Water Tap Lead Exposure in Vermont’s Public Schools
Vermont’s Act 66 requires all taps in Vermont’s public schools to be tested for lead. This study uses GIS to analyze 2017-2021 public school test results, the first round of testing, in order to discover data patterns and examine if lead exposure is an environmental injustice. The results indicate that lead distribution is not an environmental injustice and that the 4 ppb remediation threshold has resulted in most taps containing lead not being replaced, leaving children’s health at risk. The paper provides recommendations to inform state decision makers and maps to offer context to the public.