Superfund Sites and Juvenile Detention: Proximity Analysis in the Western United States

Abstract

This study considers the relationship between juvenile detention centers and hazardous waste (Superfund) sites in nine western states in the United States. It asks whether there is a pattern of toxic industrial sites being placed within close spatial proximity of juvenile detention centers, and whether this proximity may result in greater health risks for the youths being imprisoned. Through use of Aeronautical Reconnaissance Coverage Geographic Information System (ArcGIS), it was determined that, out of 167 sites housing juveniles, four are within one mile of at least one Superfund site, and 49 are within 5 miles of at least one Superfund site. In addition, examination of the health consequences of proximity to certain toxics suggests that there are legitimate dangers associated with being housed in a juvenile detention facility located near a Superfund site. Although there is no disproportionate proximity compared with the general population, any citing of juvenile detention centers near toxic sites, or the siting of toxic sites near juvenile detention centers, is an instance of environmental injustice, as juveniles are unable to choose where they are housed, and juvenile detention centers disproportionately house youth of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth, and disabled youth.