Using GIS Correlations Between Mortality, Morbidity, Environmental, Demographic, and Census Databases in Siting Environmental Pollution Permits

Author: Deborah D. Harris
Organization: NTA-Cincinnati, COBE

P.O. Box 42356
Cincinnati, OH 45242
USA

Phone: 513/791-8330
Fax: 513/791-7335
LogicTree@aol.com

This discussion will present a case study using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to show correlations between mortality, morbidity, environmental, demographic, and census databases. The study focuses on siting environmental pollution permits in the Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland, Toledo, Akron, and Dayton, Ohio communities.
Three principal applications of the study are to help local communities identify, evaluate, and document potential geographic areas of environmental justice concerns that would demonstrate patterns of environmental inequities. Identifiable inequities can be used to make recommendations to the appropriate authorities, including the governor and the director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to ensure environmental protection for all.
This paper will show five examples in which these applications were demonstrated using GIS technology: (1) White vs. Black Mortality Rates in six major cities in Ohio; (2) U.S. Census Tract Mortality and Morbidity Information; (3) EPA Regulated Air, Water, and Land (Pollution) Permits; (4) An environmental concern showing Demographic & Environmental Justice in Cincinnati, Ohio; and (5) An interpretation of Multi-GIS studies using a Neural & Expert System technique that creates LogicTree Diagrams.