What environmental issues are low-income communities confronting? Everything from mold to overheating to chemical exposure. And they’re at an exponentially greater risk for health problems compared to higher class citizens. Why is it, especially in urban areas, that the percentage of asthma amongst impoverished and lower-income neighborhoods is greater than in middle and upper class communities? Why are immune systems weaker? Why are people generally sicker? Through exploring the impact of the UHI effect on low income areas, these disparities can begin to make sense.
The Urban Heat Island effect essentially describes the bubble of heat created through absorption and reflection in densely populated areas. Because many rooftops are covered in black tar, the sun’s rays are reflected rather than absorbed, creating an oven-like effect with heat waves both penetrating and emanating from the urban environment. Issues such as pollution and unnatural wind paths created by buildings are also large contributors to raised temperatures in cities compared to nearby rural areas.
When the temperatures rise, we naturally seek comfort in cooler areas. To regulate temperature in a home or an apartment one must have access to an air conditioner, which is difficult to come across if money is scarce or tenants are strict. The elderly living alone are often affected most by lack of an AC during the summer months, because with limited to no mobility, many older people lack the ability to leave their homes or apartments, which leaves them in a hot space for days on end, exposed to heat-related dangers including heat stroke.
Another contributing factor to environmentally-related health issues in the home is the prevalence of chemical-laden cleaning products. Most humans are using chemicals on a regular basis in our hand soap, detergent, multi-surface cleaner, stain remover, and other products, and because cheaper cleaning products tend to be made with more chemicals, the low-income portion of our population is affected greatest by cleaning products. Exposure to toxic chemicals can lead to many health issues including weakened immune systems and cancer.
If toxin-free cleaning products are inaccessible because of price, how might one change their home cleaning habits in order to lead a healthier lifestyle? One option is to start mixing cleaning solutions with natural ingredients such as lemon juice, baking soda, vinegar, and essential oils.
While we’re all seeing and feeling the effects of climate change - with hotter weather, more intense storms, ice caps melting - the low-income communities especially in dense urban areas are experiencing the detriments on a higher level than most. We can all do things to improve our living condition within our home environment, such as concocting homemade cleaning solutions, but if we’re looking to improve our health as a nation, we need to take an in-depth look at fighting effects of the UHI on impoverished neighborhoods in urban areas.
