By Samantha Rothman, MPA & Paul Mathewson, Ph.D.
Summary
Hazardous Air Pollutant (HAPs) can cancer or other serious health effects but there are currently no air quality standards for HAPs. Instead, there are limits on emissions from facilities emitting HAPs. This regulatory approach does not consider cumulative exposure from other nearby sources. Exposure to HAPs primarily comes from inhaling pollutants near where people live or work. People living in urban areas are more likely to be exposed to HAPs because of human activities like heavy traffic, industrial plants, and construction projects, all of which are significant sources of emissions. Exposure to HAPs disproportionately affects minority and low-income populations in Wisconsin.
Key takeaways:
- Wisconsin has over 900 facilities emitting 3,800 tons of HAPs into the air every year.
- Lower-income and minority communities are more likely to live near sources of HAPs, reinforcing persistent environmental justice disparities.
- Roughly one third of Wisconsin’s total population lives within one mile of a HAP facility, but minority and low-income populations are much more likely to live closer to HAP facilities than non-minority non-low-income populations.
- 50% of all minority residents live within one mile of a HAP facility. In contrast, only 30% of non-minority residents live within one mile of a HAP facility
- This disparity extends to low-income populations as well: 44% of low-income residents live within one mile of a HAP facility compared to 30% of non-low-income residents.
