Several factors have been found to place minority communities at a greater risk from environmental hazards. These include but are not limited to: − The geographic area where minorities reside; − The lack or poor quality of public utilities (water, sanitation and power) and inadequate housing in these areas; − Failure by the State or the local authorities to decontaminate or take preventive measures to avoid the worst effects of environmental hazards, particularly in areas where national minorities are concentrated; − A reduction in land or other resources linked to traditional livelihoods or other types of employment; and, − Unequal access to preventative health care and health care information, including in minority languages. Locations with a high risk of experiencing environmental hazards can include power generation plants, petroleum and natural gas operations, refineries, places where waste is disposed of and recycled, and areas where water, sanitation and power utilities are either poor or non-existent. Protecting persons belonging to national minorities from environmental hazards is vital if we are to ensure their full and effective inclusion in social and economic life. Minorities may face disproportionate and unjustified environmental impacts, as discussed above. However, it is factors such as exclusion, marginalization and other structural issues that make minority groups especially vulnerable. Therefore, to ensure equitable protection, States should address the underlying factors that contribute to the unequal burdens of pollution and other environmental risks that currently weigh heavily on national minority communities. This is especially true for those who are the most vulnerable and marginalized within these minority communities, such as women, youth, the elderly and people with disabilities. States should promote environmental justice by robustly enforcing environmental protection laws in areas where minorities reside. States should adopt measures to redress the disproportionate and unjustified impacts of environmental hazards, including policies and programmes to ensure that national minority communities have equal access to quality water, sanitation and power utilities. Where practicable, they should also provide health care information and public care services in minority languages. 62 Recommendations on the Effective Participation of National Minorities in Social and Economic Life