Uneven Burdens: The Intersection of Brownfields, Pollution, and Socioeconomic Disparities in New Jersey, USA

Abstract

Brownfields, abandoned or underutilized lands having the potential for contamination due to industrial activities, pose health risks to nearby residents and raise environmental justice (EJ) concerns. This study examines the relationship between brownfield distribution and socioeconomic factors in New Jersey, a state with over 700 brownfield sites, using correlation, spatial autoregression, and instrumental variable regression methods. Results show that brownfields are associated with higher combined EJ stressors, indicating compounding environmental pollution and health risks in affected areas. Brownfields are disproportionately correlated with lower household income, higher rates of uninsured individuals, lower educational attainment, and a greater percentage of people of color. When accounting for spatial autocorrelation, relationships between income, education, and brownfield distributions are reduced, reflecting New Jersey’s historical, environmental, and social contexts. Overall, the presence of people of color maintains the strongest association with brownfield distribution. This study highlights ongoing EJ challenges faced by disadvantaged groups and emphasizes the need for targeted mitigation measures to enhance sustainability and equity. New Jersey serves as a critical case study given its ethnic diversity, growing urban population, and status as the state with the highest population density in the United States, illustrating broader trends of disproportionate exposure to environmental pollution among marginalized communities.