Why Joppa is the most polluted neighborhood in Dallas

Residents of Dallas-Joppa experience air pollution levels two to three times higher than the rest of the city and experience higher rates of respiratory illnesses, according to a new study.

Scientists analyzed the relationship between air pollution and public health in Joppa by surveying 200 area households and combining it with data from air quality monitors established by the University of Texas at Dallas.

Also read: Dallas factory closed after neighbors complained about odor for years

The Joppa Health Project’s findings were released to the public Thursday night at a meeting at New Zion Missionary Baptist Church.

About 60 people attended the meeting, which began with a prayer.

“We don’t want another survey; we want action, and we want the city to actually meet our needs,” local resident Andrew L. Martin Jr. said after learning of the study’s results.

Others were happy that Joppa was finally getting some attention after years of neglect.

“I’m grateful to the people who did this research, and I hope we can work together to create a better place for our children and our descendants,” said neighbor Julio Chaparro, who arrived in Joppa two years ago Chaparro said.

“I know we’re new here, but we want to make a change and work with those who have been here before us.”

Joppa is one of the most polluted areas in Dallas.

According to the environmental advocacy group Downwinders at Risk, the air pollution comes from the TAMKO asphalt shingle plant, Union Pacific switchyard and other industrial plants.

These plants emit particulate matter, dust or soot from fossil fuel burning engines, boilers and furnaces.

The particles are so small that they can penetrate people’s lungs and bloodstream, according to the Joppa Health Project website.

Scientists from Texas A&M University, community figures and Downinders at Risk collaborated on the project.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation funded the research with support from the Texas Community Foundation.

Founded in 1872 as a freedmen settlement, Joppa is located a few miles southeast of downtown Dallas.

Residents of about 350 houses have complained for years about the city’s neglect.

special report from dallas morning news In 2020, he reported historical abuse.

The Hispanic community has grown in recent years. Of the population of about 5,000 people, 62% are African American and 32% are Hispanic, according to the Census Bureau.

Analysis conclusion

The project analyzed data from three air monitoring sites in Joppa collected between May and September 2022, which showed average daily exposure to particulate matter was two to three times higher than the Dallas County average.

During the study period, one or more air monitors in Joppa exceeded the EPA’s national benchmark for 24-hour exposure to particulate matter once a week on average.

They also exceeded the World Health Organization’s benchmark for 24-hour exposure to particulate matter, almost once a day on average.

The study also found that about 35 percent of Joppa residents are at moderate to high risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which restricts airflow and causes breathing problems.

It is also called emphysema or chronic bronchitis.

The study results show that the asthma prevalence rate among area residents is 18%, well below the state average of 7.6%.

During the meeting, attendees said “wow” several times when the results were announced.

Sixty-five percent of those who participated in the study were African American and 30% were Latino. More women (57%) than men are involved.

Part of the survey related to perceptions of air pollution in Joppa.

About 62 percent of respondents believe air quality in Joppa is low or very low, and 83 percent believe air pollution in the community has harmful effects on their or their family’s health.

93% of people believe that pollution from factories causes their health problems.

“We found that Joppa residents believe they are breathing polluted air, and they believe the pollution is harming their health and the health of their families.” Dr. Natalie Johnson of Texas A&M University said in an interview that the results from the air monitoring See, they were right.

Chaparro, 69, one of Joppa’s Hispanic neighbors, has little to live on with his wife and two daughters.

“At first I didn’t believe anything they were saying about contamination,” Chaparro told The Dallas Morning News.

“But six months later, my throat started to hurt and I had trouble breathing at night.”

working with communities

Alicia Kendrick, president of the Joppa Environmental Health Project, said in an interview that gaining people’s trust was the hardest thing in the early stages of the project.

Residents were reluctant to participate in the survey.

“First they said something like: ‘They’ve done some research on us. What’s the benefit of this?” Kendrick said.

“Over time they got used to seeing us and after talking at length about their health issues, they agreed to participate.”

The survey was 30 pages long and was administered online and on paper in English and Spanish.

“To increase response rates, we conducted a variety of community outreach efforts and events to encourage participation,” said Dr. Ma Ping, a researcher at Texas A&M University.

Donwinders at Risk community liaison Misti Oquinn said the activities began a year before the survey to educate the community about the intentions of the project and why participation was necessary.

On average, residents spent about 30 minutes completing the questionnaire.

“So what now? We already have the data. “What are our legal options? asked Martin Jr., one of the neighbors at the meeting.

What’s next?

Kendrick said part of the investigation is determining what Joppa residents want changed.

“Seventy-four percent want factories and smokestacks to reduce pollution, and 70% want factories and smokestacks to disappear altogether,” Kendrick said.

A new community group called Justice for Joppa was recently formed.

The group will push to change the area’s land use from heavy to light industry during the ForwardDallas plan, which plans how public and private land will be used.

He also wants to apply for funding and grants to establish a community clinic to provide services for illnesses caused by air pollution.

“We hope this study will kick-start what we call the deindustrialization of Joppa,” Jim Schermbeck, director of Downinders at Risk, said in an interview.

“We want to reverse the racist land use practices that keep these people close to these industries.”

Residents want the city of Dallas to pay attention to and invest in their community, build a school, open convenience stores and clean the air by eliminating sources of pollution in Joppa.

“This community has been forgotten and it’s changing,” said Chaparro, who is involved with Justice for Joppa. “The city must listen to us.”

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