Pollution and Health in Black American Communities

Videos

Grades9, 10, 11, 12Civics

Scientist Reviewed

Provided by PBS

Open Resource

What it is

These videos and related resources explain how Black Americans are disproportionately impacted by pollution.
The resources focus on the "Toxic Triangle" located near San Francisco, California, where communities are exposed to high volumes of pollution, including radioactive material.

Teaching tips

Positives

These videos provide a lot of rich information while remaining brief.
Many students may find this resource eye-opening as they understand the many layers associated with environmental concerns.

Prerequisites

This resource builds on students' prior knowledge of how Black Americans have been treated throughout United States history.

Differentiation & Implementation

After using this resource, students can practice reading scientific journal formats with this related article.
The resource mentions having students visit the Mapping Inequality website for more information. Teachers can find suggestions for implementing this resource here.
This video can be used as an introduction to environmental justice and the ways that racial issues and environmental issues intersect.
Teachers can use this video to show the relationship between the Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 3, Good Health and Well-Being, and SDG 10, Reduced Inequalities.

From the scientist review

This resource details how pollution disproportionately impacts Black American communities in the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition to the case-study area, the nationwide proximity of Superfund sites to minority communities is also highlighted in the second video. This resource highlights an important environmental justice issue and is recommended for teaching.

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At a glance

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Subjects: Civics
Other types: Activity - Classroom, Worksheets
Format: Microsoft Word
Language: English
Location: North America > United States > California
Provider: PBS
Authors: PBS
Published: May 7, 2026
Last updated: July 16, 2026
: Reviewed by our climate scientists How we review

Standards alignment · D2.Civ.10.9-12 + 7 more

Core

College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards

D2.Civ.10.9-12Analyze the impact and the appropriate roles of personal interests and perspectives on the application of civic virtues, democratic principles, constitutional rights, and human rights.
D2.Civ.5.9-12Evaluate citizens' and institutions' effectiveness in addressing social and political problems at the local, state, tribal, national, and/or international level.
D2.His.2.9-12Analyze change and continuity in historical eras.
D2.His.5.9-12Analyze how historical contexts shaped and continue to shape people's perspectives.
D2.Civ.13.9-12.Evaluate public policies in terms of intended and unintended outcomes, and related consequences.

National Health Education Standards

1.12.3Analyze how environment and personal health are interrelated.

New Jersey Climate Education Hub

Science

HS-ESS3-3.Create a computational simulation to illustrate the relationships among the management of natural resources, the sustainability of human populations, and biodiversity.

Social Studies

6.1.12.GeoHE.14.a:Evaluate the impact of individual, business, and government decisions and actions on the environment and climate change and assess the efficacy of government policies and agencies in New Jersey and the United States in addressing these decisions.

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What it is

Teaching tips

From the scientist review

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