ABSTRACT
Community is often thought of as one of the victims of disaster. However, a consequence of chronic, low-level contamination in many neighborhoods is the development, not the destruction, of community. Grassroots groups emerge within the affected region. In fact, women tend to predominate in leadership positions of groups concerned with toxic exposure. The three key outcomes from the grassroots response to toxic exposure—social support, information, and power. There are also limits to the development of community as a response to toxic exposure. As a result, the community organizations that develop in response to toxic exposure differ from permanent community organizations seeking to maintain ongoing activities in a fairly stable environment. Finally, as reactive community groups succeed in responding to their original crisis, some are able to make the transition to becoming innovative and anticipatory organizations.
