Evaluating the Potential for Environmental Quality Improvement in a Community Distressed by Manmade Hazards

As part of the process of understanding manmade environmental hazards and their impact on affected communities, this study explored the conditions at a waste disposal site in Staten Island, New York. Questionnaires were administered by mail to assess: (a) the range of socio-economic groups affected and their residential characteristics; (b) their awareness and perception of the conditions at the waste site; and (c) their willingness to pay to resolve the problems. The results showed high levels of environmental awareness among the residents. Specifically, air pollution and waste disposal were cited as the most significant problems affecting their community. In the search for alternatives, roughly half of the residents indicated their willingness to financially support programs aimed at improving the quality of their environment.