Is Parramore suffering from environmental racism?
Are air pollution and toxic wastes hurting the health of people who live in Parramore?
The community was recently spotlighted in a nationally published article in the Huffington Post that reported that the predominantly black neighborhood suffers under a cloud of dangerously high air pollution, and littered with toxic dump sites.
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| Parramore from the air |
Therefore, community activist Lawanna Gelzer plans to attend Monday’s City Commission meeting to ask Orlando leaders to commission a health-disparity study.
Ms. Gelzer noted that the city has already spent a fortune removing toxic substances from sections of Parramore that are being gentrified, such as at the Orlando City soccer stadium, the new fire station No. 2 and the future site of Creative Village and the University of Central Florida’s downtown campus.
But, she said, little has been done to address locations where people are living. Unlike other sections of Orlando commercial and industrial businesses have been allowed to open next to and across the street from homes and apartments – which increases the danger of people being exposed to harmful substances.
Ms. Gelzer said a health disparity study is needed to understand if the toxic conditions are contributing to a high incidence of asthma, cancer and other health problems in the community.
Ms. Gelzer plans to address commissioners at their 2 p.m. meeting.
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