title: Environmental equity and the role of public policy: experiences in the Rijnmond region.
abstract: This study of environmental equity uses secondary quantitative data to analyze socioeconomic disparities in environmental conditions in the Rijnmond region of the Netherlands. The disparities of selected environmental indicators--exposure to traffic noise (road, rail, and air), NO(2), external safety risks, and the availability of public green space--are analyzed both separately and in combination. Not only exposures to environmental burdens ("bads") were investigated, but also access to environmental benefits ("goods"). Additionally, we held interviews and reviewed documents to grasp the mechanisms underlying the environmental equity situation, with an emphasis on the role of public policy. Environmental equity is not a priority in public policy for the greater Rotterdam region known as the Rijnmond region, yet environmental standards have been established to provide a minimum environmental quality to all local residents. In general, environmental quality has improved in this region, and the accumulation of negative environmental outcomes ("bads") has been limited. However, environmental standards for road traffic noise and NO(2) are being exceeded, probably because of the pressure on space and the traffic intensity. We found an association of environmental "bads" with income for rail traffic noise and availability of public green space. In the absence of regulation, positive environmental outcomes ("goods") are mainly left up to market forces. Consequently, higher-income groups generally have more access to environmental "goods" than lower-income groups.
authors: Centre for Environmental Health Research, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, P.O. Box 1, 3720, BA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands. Hanneke.Kruize@rivm.nl
authors: Hanneke
authors: H
authors: Kruize
authors: Peter P J
authors: PP
authors: Driessen
authors: Pieter
authors: P
authors: Glasbergen
authors: Klaas N D
authors: KN
authors: van Egmond
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants; D004777:Environment; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D009426:Netherlands; D009585:Nitrogen Dioxide; D009624:Noise, Transportation; D011640:Public Policy; D012935:Social Justice; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D009585:Nitrogen Dioxide