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Askins & Encarnacion

Artist

Sandy Askins

- Undergraduate Artist

- Emory University 

Scientist

Naurica Encarnacion

- 4th year undergraduate 

- Environmental Science major, Emory University 

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Artwork
by Sandy Askins

Medium:  acrylic paint

An environmental threat of key concern is that of soil contamination in western Atlanta. Lead contamination in soil can negatively impact the quality of food grown, outdoor activity, and childhood development. My painting depicts a young boy in the foreground with Atlanta skyline characteristics in the background. A plant sprouting from the young boy’s head blurs the binary between the human and nonhuman showing how interconnected we truly are whilst referring back to the notion that lead contamination negatively impacts the food grown in an area. The plant is slowly dying as a reflection of the poor soil quality; the soil that is meant to nourish the plant is failing and as a result failing to nourish the children of Atlanta. Plumes of smoke linger in the middle ground as a shout out to the work done at SAIKAWA lab surrounding air quality alongside highlighting the fact that environmental racism and neglect is rarely ever contained to one facet of the environment. The poster-esque nature of my acrylic painting is oriented to resemble other forms of advocacy artwork. Specifically, American propaganda posters often focus on portraits of faces. This subtle reflection of aforementioned patriotic posters begs viewers to ask the question: why is there not more being done to protect marginalized groups from environmental harm within the United States?

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Abstract

by Naurica Encarnacion

                 The Saikawa Lab at Emory University and Historic Westside Gardens is currently working with community residents via the Community Engaged Children's Health Study (CECHS) to measure childhood exposure to lead and other heavy metals and metalloids such as those found in slag. Through this investigation, the Westside was named a toxic waste site, also known as a Superfund site, by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and listed on the National Priorities List (NPL) in March 2022 to address the contamination issue. The CECHS study team has collaborated with community partners and residents to learn about concerns regarding possible lead exposure and health impacts. Because children exposed to lead and other heavy metals during pregnancy and early childhood are at significant risk for developing acute and chronic health conditions, it is important to understand the possible sources of exposure. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy.

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