Environmental Justice - The term "Environmental Justice" refers to efforts to prevent harms caused by pollution from occurring disproportionately in poor and minority populations. OEQ is conscious of the tendency for polluting industries to be located in predominantly poor and minority communities. Environmentally linked health effects, including asthma and elevated blood lead levels, occur more commonly in poor and minority populations. While there are political, social and economic explanations for why environmental justice problems exist, it is unacceptable for anyone to be exposed to harmful levels of pollutants.

Cincinnati City Council passed the  Environmental Justice Ordinance on June 24, 2009. 

UPDATE:

The City's new Environmental Justice Ordinance takes effect on December 21, 2009. This first-in-the-nation Ordinance generally requires new or expanding industrial facilities to get an Environmental Justice (EJ) Permit prior to beginning operation. To get an EJ permit, the facility must demonstrate that they will not cause health problems for the surrounding communities, using methodologies spelled out in the Ordinance.

OEQ is currently preparing for implementation of the EJ Ordinance. A draft set of application forms and application instructions is expected to be released for public comment in early November. Anyone interested in reviewing and commenting on draft EJ materials should contact OEQ at oeq@cincinnati-oh.gov to be placed on the distribution list.

For more information about Cincinnati's efforts to promote Environmental Justice, contact Larry Falkin at 513-352-5325 or larry.falkin@cincinnati-oh.gov.