"Pollution Burden Higher for State's Latinos And Blacks, Report Finds"

"Latinos and African Americans make up a disproportionately high percentage of the population of California ZIP Codes most burdened by pollution, according to a report released Friday by state environmental officials.

Latinos account for nearly two-thirds of residents in the top 10% most polluted ZIP Codes despite making up only 38% of the state’s population, the analysis by the California Environmental Protection Agency shows.

Nearly 10% of residents of the most polluted ZIP Codes are black, though they make up only 6% of the population statewide, according to the report. Whites, in contrast, are more than 40% of the state’s population but only 16% of residents of the most polluted ZIP Codes.

The findings came as part of a statewide environmental health assessment released last year."

Tony Barboza reports for the Los Angeles Times March 7, 2014.