t.e.j.a.s.


The Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Group (t.e.j.a.s.) aims to address the inequitable adverse health outcomes resulting from exposure to toxic industrial emissions among low-income, minority area residents. In collaboration with local government officials, industry union members, and academic partners, this initiative aims to create a comprehensive air toxic reduction plan that will identify key sources of air pollution, enhance enforcement of existing emission standards and regulations, and guide the development of effective mitigation policies. Community members will be empowered through training and education. This project seeks to involve and engage local youth through a partnership with a local high school. Juan Parras, director of t.e.j.a.s., is the recipient of the Sierra Club's 2015 Robert Bullard Environmental Justice award. t.e.j.a.s. has played a principal role in crafting research questions and organizing the collection of data.