While open, the Exide plant in Los Angeles, recycled 11 million car batteries a year, which released 3,500 tons of lead into nearby communities. As a result, as many as a quarter of a million residents, most of them working-class Latinos, have been facing chronic health hazards.

On this episode of Inside the Issues, we look at environmental justice and explore what can be done to prevent this from happening in the future.

Jill Johnston, Assistant Professor of Preventive Medicine and Director Community Outreach & Engagement at Keck School of Medicine of USC, defines what environmental justice is and why Southern California is home to some of the nation’s worst environmental hot spots. 

Spectrum News 1 reporter Kim Passoth visits the dry lake bed of the Salton Sea and explains why it’s creating health challenges for nearby residents as the desert winds kick up toxic sediment.

Andrés Caballero, Producer for Latino USA, talks about the history of oil in the United States and how a group called People not Pozos worked to shut down AllenCo., an oil company located in the University Park area.

Dilia Ortega, Youth Program Coordinator for Communities for a Better Environment, and Dayana Ortega, a High School Senior and YouthEJ for Youth for Environmental Justice, talk about being activists for environmental justice and the role that younger people play in fighting for these causes. 

Spectrum News 1 reporter Daniela Pardo travels to Tulare County to take a look at the living conditions for agricultural workers.

Steve Goldsmith, President of the Torrance Refinery Action Alliance, and Cliff Heise, Treasurer of the Torrance Refinery Action Alliance, talk about why they are calling for a ban on modified hydrofluoric acid, or MHF, which is used at refineries in Torrance and Wilmington. 

Let Inside the Issues know your thoughts and watch Monday through Friday at 8 and 11 p.m. on Spectrum News 1.