File EJ Complaint in Alabama Environmental Justice and Chemical Weapons Disposal Environmental justice is the idea that all people deserve the equal right to clean and safe air, water, land and food regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, culture, religion, or any other factor. Environmental justice affirms ecological unity and the interdependence of the diversity of all life, and the fundamental right of all life to be free from ecological destruction. In recognition of the environmental problems faced by communities of color and low income, President Clinton passed Executive Order 12898 on February 11, 1994.
Polluters tend to dump on communities least able to defend themselves.
Studies show that the majority of hazardous waste sites in the U.S. are located in low income communities and communities of color. Likewise, the majority of U.S. chemical weapons are stored in low income communities and communities of color which have long histories of toxic contamination. Citizens are already suffering the health effects of poisons in their environment. Plans to incinerate chemical weapons and release hundreds of chemicals such as dioxins, PCBs, and low levels of nerve and mustard agent into these communities will add to already existing health problems. The Army's chemical weapons incineration program continues a pattern of environmental injustice in communities that have already suffered more than their share of pollution.