GEO 309 Environmental Justice, Take-Home Quiz 6 ∗
Type your answer, print it out, and turn in the hard copy.
Long Answer: Provide a short essay.
Evaluate the Buttonwillow, Cali., case in terms of environmental justice. You may choose to
take a broad or narrow focus. Drawing on this week’s reading in Cole and Foster (2001) and the
information below, argue your own position (or a position of your choosing). Note that a convincing
argument cannot be constructed from unsupported assertions. You will be graded on how well your
argument is supported.
Some additional information may be helpful in considering the Buttonwillow, Calif., case:
•Risks of spina bifida and anencephaly are greater for Mexicans (Alcantara et al., 2016),
mothers with folic acid deficiencies during pregnancy (CDC, 2004)(Williams et al., 2002,
2005; Boulet et al., 2008; Arth et al., 2016), and fathers who work with solvents, paint, and
pesticides (Brender and Suarez , 1990). Fortification of grain products (e.g., bread) with folic
acid became mandatory in the U.S. in 1998.
•Not all “environmental problem areas” pose equivalent risks, nor do the risks necessarily
match up with common impressions held by the public. Table 1 shows the results of a
comparative risk analysis done by the EPA in 1987.
•Pollution in Buttonwillow scores at or above the 90th percentile in ozone (91%), pesticides
