From Concern to Action: Mapping Pollution and Empowering Communities in South Fulton
Center for Children’s Health Assessment, Research Translation, and Combating Environmental Risk (CHARTER)
Emory University and University of Georgia
The city of South Fulton, Georgia is home to numerous industrial facilities that work with metals, food, concrete, and insulation, as well as a variety of chemicals. Many of these places are built close to where people live, leaving residents concerned about the environmental pollution and potential health impacts that these industries pose. In response, Science for Georgia (Sci4GA), led by Director of Advocacy, Michael Czajkowski, PhD, secured a CHARTER translational planning grant. This funding supported a partnership with the Southside Environmental Justice Alliance (SEJA) to look at data, translate and share relevant information, and advocate for the community.
Sci4GA used GIS mapping software to show public environmental data alongside community information gathered by SEJA.c This novel comparison helped everyone see a clearer picture of local health risks. Clean air and water emerged as top issues, with 80% of people mentioning air quality and 65% mentioning water quality. SEJA played a critical role in translating the data into materials that spoke to what people in the community cared most about. Their work included creating a pamphlet about pollution risks and a survey where residents could share their health concerns, both of which have been circulating through S. Fulton neighborhoods for the past year. This collaborative research between Sci4GA and SEJA was even highlighted by WABE, bringing more attention to these important environmental health conversations.
Pamphlet created by Sci4GA and SEJA detailing South Fulton, Georgia pollution risks
Sci4GA and SEJA are moving forward with a new preliminary website that puts local environmental facts right at residents’ fingertips. Simple to navigate and packed with clear information, it helps people quickly find, understand, and use what they need to stay informed and engaged. Their approach is already inspiring similar efforts in South DeKalb County and Augusta, helping more communities get involved and raise their voices. Looking ahead, the platform will expand to include new lead exposure data connected to a nearby federal Superfund cleanup site—critical information for protecting community health. Building on this momentum, the partners aim to secure additional funding to grow education initiatives and strengthen health and environmental data collection. Together, these steps reflect a strong, long‑term commitment to community well‑being and resilience.
Quotes
“Our organization was able to support an in-depth project for community health that we would not otherwise have been able to conduct. The takeaways have enhanced our capacity as an organization to continue this work for other communities and have played a foundational part in the development of our data science branch: Data For Georgia.” – Dr. Michael Czajkowski
“I hope this [CHARTER pilot] program continues and expands! This type of translation funding is so important for community health efforts! Especially for projects that don’t fit easily into a single discipline, which is where the new and sometimes most important ideas and efforts happen!” – Dr. Michael Czajkowski