Mothers & Others For Clean Air deeply believes that access to clean air is an inherent human right. We acknowledge that communities of color often suffer from an unequal burden of toxic pollution. We offer the following resource to advance education and dialogue about Environmental Racism within the state of Arkansas. This is not a comprehensive list of issues, leaders, or organizations within Arkansas. Rather, this post highlights a few issues and resources, and thus encourages continued awareness and involvement with issues of environmental racism in Arkansas. We welcome anyone to share additional resources or thoughts with us.
What does Environmental Racism Look Like in Arkansas?
Crossett Georgia Pacific Paper Company Pollution: The Georgia-Pacific Paper Mill is located in Crossett Arkansas. Most of the residents of this town earn their living by working for the paper mill. According to the 2010 census, 39% of Crossett’s population is Black or African American. The plant emits 1.5 million pounds of toxic chemicals every year, including a steady stream of hydrogen sulfide into the air and water treatment systems. Breathing the air in Crossett on a windy day reportedly stings the nose and burns the eyes of workers and residents. The toxins have negative effects on the health of residents in the area. Almost all of the Crossett residents over the age of 60 have died or are ailing from cancer[i].
In 2018 Georgia Pacific settled Environmental Protection Agency claims for violating the Clean Air Act. The terms of the settlement include $600,000 in civic penalties, $2.9 million to reduce Hydrogen Sulfide emissions in wastewater, and $2 million divested into three environmental projects including reducing hydrogen sulfide emissions, and an air monitoring project[ii].
[i] Mayer, J. (2018). A Whistle-Blower Accuses the Kochs of “Poisoning” an Arkansas Town | The New Yorker. The Newyorker. https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/a-whistle-blower-accuses-the-kochs-of-poisoning-an-arkansas-town
[ii] Network, L. E. A. (2018). Georgia-Pacific in Crossett, Arkansas Settles EPA Claims of Violations of the Clean Air Act – Louisiana Environmental Action Network. https://leanweb.org/uncategorized/georgia-pacific-in-crossett-arkansas-settles-epa-claims-of-violations-of-the-clean-air-act/
