Delaware county is no stranger to environmental justice issues. Even as local as the consistent unaddressed sanitation issues that communities of color are afflicted with from neighborhood such as Bywood compared to wealthier areas in Upper Darby Township such as Drexel Hill. This also includes access to parks, safe and modern playground equipment, clean air, clean water, lead paint removal, home weatherization, and more.

Results of a recent UDTJ 69th Street Cleanup.

Some issues we see a clear and consistent prevalence of such as exposure to lead paint which disproportionately affects the communities and neighbors of color. The map below shows the risk to lead exposure with a large majority of Upper Darby and the surrounding townships of color at high risks of exposure. Upper Darby is depicted with a dashed white border.

Risk of Lead Exposure

Life Expectancy At Birth

Racial Demographics Across Upper Darby

Estimated percentage of non-Hispanic white people from 2015-2019 according to US Census estimates. Upper Darby is outlined in a black dashed line. The map is zoomed out so you can not the surrounding townships of Yeadon and disparity compared to Springfield Township. Borders are estimates.

The divisions in quality life are caused by compounding environmental and economic conditions for many residents that perpetuate the inequality already existing in communities of color in Delaware County.

Some of the most severe issues that plague Delaware County and our neighbors across Cobbs Creek in West Philadelphia have been the focus of many older organizations fighting for environmental justice. Consequently we want to share links to their sites as well as more information regarding their efforts.

Below find some of those organizations and their website or social media link:

Chester Residents Concerned for Quality Living
- https://www.chesterresidents.org/
Chester Environmental Racism Group
- http://www.ejnet.org/chester/
Protecting Our Waters
- https://protectingourwaters.wordpress.com/

For a list of more environmental organizations in the Philadelphia area and their suburbs visit this more extensive list: https://phillyecoguide.com/environmental-orgs/

Environmental Justice

Civic Participation

Holiday Assistance Program