A Terrible Thing to Waste: Environmental Racism and Its Assault on the American Mind

Harriet A. Washington's A Terrible Thing to Waste exposes the insidious impact of environmental racism on the American mind. The book reveals how marginalized communities, predominantly those of color, are disproportionately exposed to a range of environmental hazards, including heavy metals, neurotoxins, pollution, and industrial waste. This exposure results in significant cognitive damage, affecting intellectual development and overall well-being.

Washington meticulously details how environmental factors, rather than inherited traits, contribute to reported disparities in intelligence, utilizing IQ as a metric to track cognitive harm. Through extensive scientific research and case studies, the book demonstrates the profound and often overlooked assault on mental capacity that arises from systemic environmental injustice, urging readers to confront the realities of this public health crisis.