Environmental research effort aims to improve health in Houston's vulnerable neighborhoods

Garett Sansom, DrPH, and Lindsay Sansom, PhD, with the Texas A&M University School of Public Health, have been named principal investigator and co-principal investigator of a new, one-year effort funded by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Gulf Research Program to evaluate soil conditions in two northeast Houston neighborhoods and foster community engagement by local residents.

Both researchers have extensive experience with similar projects in Houston. Recent examples include a study of lead and other heavy metals in the soil in Houston's Greater Fifth Ward and a study of the effects of repeated exposure to environmental hazards on physical health.

For this project, the pair will evaluate soil in the Settegast and Lakewood neighborhoods for cancer-causing heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and perform a comprehensive risk assessment based on their findings.

In addition, they will work with representatives from the community-based organization West Street Recovery to identify residents' environment-related concerns to develop a better understanding of local priorities and challenges.

We're excited to collaborate with the dedicated, boots-on-the-ground experts at West Street Recovery, combining their deep community knowledge with our research expertise to tackle these major environmental challenges."

Garett Sansom, DrPH, Texas A&M University School of Public Health

Residents of both neighborhoods face significant, long-term environmental hazards. The nearly 4,800 primarily African American residents of Settegast have among the lowest life expectancy rates in Harris County. Their community is located near landfills and is the site of illegal dumping, frequent flooding and other health risks. Lakewood is exposed to hazardous sites and high levels of air pollution, as well as illegal dumping and inadequate waste management systems.

"This project is a critical first step in addressing the complex and deeply rooted challenges of environmental justice, paving the way for healthier, more sustainable communities," Lindsay Sansom said.

Once complete, the project will lead into a three-year initiative to create an urban greenspace plan to reduce these environmental pollutants, improve community health and cultivate urban development.