The Environment Can Save the Country: How Advancing Environmental Justice Can Improve Biosecurity

Abstract The present article investigates the connection between environmental justice and biosecurity. Environmental justice is simply the improvement of environmental conditions for vulnerable populations. Biosecurity is the field that implements different measures that have the intended purpose of preventing the introduction and/or spread of harmful pathogens. The author provides a quick history of the creation of environmental law and subsequently describes the event that occurred in Afton, North Carolina that led to the creation of the concept of environmental justice. Next, the author establishes a nexus between environmental justice and biosecurity through describing the biosecurity issues with laboratories located in Boston, Massachusetts (MS) and Galveston, Texas (TX). The author also discusses the Flint, Michigan water crisis to provide a clear picture of how poor environmental conditions contribute to the harmful spread of pathogens. Lastly, the author provides a possible solution of emphasizing safety measures to promote optimal environmental conditions for vulnerable populations which in turn will strengthen biosecurity.