With Lewis Center support, Paul Ong, professor of urban planning, is examining an
environmental program adopted by the South Coast Air Quality Management
District (AQMD) to phase in the use of less toxic chemicals at dry cleaning
establishments. AQMD provided financial incentives to switch early,
prioritizing dry cleaners located in high poverty rates and neighborhoods with
high levels of cumulative pollution exposure. Preliminary findings indicate
that dry cleaners in low-income minority neighborhoods are less likely to be
early adopters of green technologies.