The analysis of the environmental problems in the Ohio Comparative Risk Project involves both quantitative and qualitative components. This chapter focuses on available quantitative information that are indicators of the existing state of Ohio's environment.

The following tables consist of statistics that were gathered to enhance the evaluation of environmental problems in Ohio. The statistics are are grouped by general categories of population; land/habitat/natural resources; water; environmental management; public opinion; and economics.

When information about trends was readily available, it is used to depict conditions, however, the tables offer a mix of trend information and existing conditions. In most cases, the source of the information is clearly identified. There are some instances, however, in which the source was a personal interview or unpublished information.

How Ohio ranks among the fifty states for:

NATIONAL RANK

Total population, 1990* 7
Number of fish kills in 1992*** 10
Number of hazardous waste sites, 1990* 11
Amount of coal produced** 12
Resident population in metro areas* 18
Number of physicians per 100,000 people* 21
Persons below poverty* 23
Violent crimes per 100,000 people* 24
State-held recreation lands** 26
Median household income for African Americans* 37
Per capita spending on environmental regulation**** 39
Federal-held recreation lands** 41
Percent of housing units built between 1980 and 1990* 47
Public recreation land per 1000 people** 47

__________________________________
* Selected State Rankings, Statistical Abstract of U.S., U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Bureau of Census, 1993.
**Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources, 1993.
***1992 Ohio Water Resources Inventory, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.
****Burke et al. 1994. The Environmental Web (see paper on Environmental Management for Complete citation).