Differences Between Scientific Experts and Residents of a Community in Columbus, OH in Perceptions of Brownfield Sites and Their Effects on Health
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Differences Between Scientific Experts and Residents of a Community in Columbus, OH in Perceptions of Brownfield Sites and Their Effects on Health Masters Thesis Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Masters of Science in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Dylan L Galos Graduate Program in Public Health The Ohio State University Spring 2011 Committee: Dr. John "Mac" Crawford, Advisor Dr. Randi L. Love Copyright by Dylan Louis Galos 2011 Abstract Brownfield sites, defined by the U.S. EPA as "real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant," are a problem in many urban areas. In addition to potential chemical hazards, they pose other experiential and physical hazards to the communities in which they exist. This community-based participatory research study examined the differences between residents of Weinland Park, a community in Columbus, Ohio and experts in environmental science about their perceptions of hazards, health impacts, necessary actions and methods of seeking information as they pertain to brownfields. Results suggested a need for comprehensive risk communication to build a common language between these lay and expert populations. While residents knew there were contaminated sites in their neighborhood, many did not know the term brownfields. Experts showed a greater familiarity with chemical hazards than residents, but both groups had similar perceptions of experiential and physical hazards. Both groups suggested that poverty can increase a population's vulnerability to health effects from brownfield sites due to prolonged exposure to chemicals and delayed action. Experts outlined process-based methods of communication including a community-based method called "porch chats." Both groups ii identified a need for partnership between community and government entities to elicit effective action in brownfield redevelopment. iii Dedication This is dedicated to my friends and family, whose support has helped me to achieve success in my education. iv Acknowledgments Special thanks to Dr. John “Mac” Crawford, Dr. Rosemary Chaudry, Dr. Barbara Polivka, Dr. Robyn Wilson, Dr. Randi Love, Tara Bennett and Judy Kariuki for their contributions to data collection and analysis. Thanks to the Center for Clinical and Translational Science at The Ohio State University for financial support. The project described was supported by Award Number UL1RR025755 from the National Center for Research Resources, funded by the Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health (OD) and supported by the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Center for Research Resources or the National Institutes of Health. Thanks also to the OSU Center for Clinical and Translational Science for their support. v Vita May 2004 ...................................................... Las Cruces High School 2009 ............................................................... B.A. Biology, New Mexico State University 2011 ............................................................... M.S. Environmental Health Sciences, The ....................................................................... Ohio State University 2010 to present ............................................ Graduate Research Associate, College of Education and Human Ecology, The Ohio State University 2009 to 2010 ................................................ Graduate Enrichment Fellowship, The Ohio State University Fields of Study Major Field: Public Health vi Table of Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................... ii Dedication .......................................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgments ............................................................................................................... v Vita ..................................................................................................................................... vi List of Tables ...................................................................................................................... x List of Figures .................................................................................................................... xi Chapter 1: Introduction and Background ............................................................................1 Brownfields as a Public Health Problem ................................................................1 Description of the Community and Residents ........................................................6 Description of Experts ............................................................................................8 Brownfields in Weinland Park ................................................................................8 Literature Review ....................................................................................................9 Theoretical Framework .........................................................................................14 Chapter 2: Methods ...........................................................................................................17 Selection of Topic .................................................................................................17 Recruitment ...........................................................................................................18 vii Measurement .........................................................................................................19 Chapter 3: Predicted Findings ...........................................................................................22 Preface ...................................................................................................................22 Physiological Domain ...........................................................................................22 Vulnerability Domain ...........................................................................................23 Epistemological Domain .......................................................................................24 Health Protection Domain .....................................................................................24 Chapter 4: Results .............................................................................................................26 Physiological Domain ...........................................................................................26 Vulnerability Domain ...........................................................................................28 Epistemological Domain .......................................................................................30 Health Protection Domain .....................................................................................32 Chapter 5: Discussion .......................................................................................................37 Broader Implications ............................................................................................37 Recommended Actions .........................................................................................42 Limitation of Study ...............................................................................................46 Future Studies ........... ...........................................................................................47 References .........................................................................................................................50 Appendix A: Interview Guide for Expert Interviews and Focus Groups..........................56 Appendix B: Interview Guide for Resident Interviews and Focus Groups ......................64 Appendix C: Photos of Brownfield Sites in Weinland Park .............................................72 Appendix D: Recruitment Materials For Residents ..........................................................75 viii Appendix E: Codebook .....................................................................................................76 Appendix F: Visual Diagram of Coding Scheme .............................................................77 ix List of Tables Table 1. Demographic Characteristics of Participants ......................................................21 Table 2. Description of Subscales of the Environmental Health Engagement Profile and Their Characteristics as Psychometric Measures ..................................................48 x List of Figures Figure 1. Diagram of the Role of Public Health in Brownfield Redevelopment ................4 Figure 2. Map of Weinland Park Community ....................................................................7 Figure 3. Visual Representation of Dixon & Dixon's Integrative Model .........................15 Figure 4. Internet Search Using the Phrase "contaminated sites" .....................................40 Figure 5. Internet Search Using the Phrase "contaminated sites Weinland Park" ............41 xi Chapter 1: Introduction and Background Brownfields as a Public Health Problem Urban environmental exposures are often involuntary and those exposed are often not those who benefit the most from the sources of the exposure. Those who have these