Study Reveals Pollution Risks Near U.S. Parks

A recent study from the University of Michigan sheds light on the hidden pollution risks posed to public parks across the United States. The research examined over 151,000 parks nationwide and discovered that more than half lie within two miles of industrial facilities known to handle toxic chemicals.

Proximity to Superfund Sites

This study identified nearly 27,000 parks near areas classified as Superfund sites due to severe contamination. Alarmingly, over 2,400 parks share land with these hazardous areas. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) highlights the dangers of Superfund sites, which contain hazardous waste that has been improperly managed, dumped, or left exposed. The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, commonly called “Superfund,” empowers the EPA to lead cleanup efforts at these sites.

Additionally, more than 60 parks are located near facilities listed in the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI). These facilities are required to report their use, processing, or manufacture of over 800 chemicals annually to the EPA. The TRI provides valuable insights into potential environmental risks surrounding these areas.

Insights from the Study

While the study did not measure direct environmental or health impacts of nearby pollution on parks, it underscores the prevalence of these sites and their proximity to vital community spaces. Co-authors Elliott Chemberlin and Philippa Clarke, associated with the University of Michigan, pointed out in an email with Nexstar how common such overlaps are. They noted the frequency of parks forming after remediation of former industrial sites and landfills.

Examples of parks near Superfund sites include New York’s Central Park close to the Hudson River, which remains a significant federal Superfund site. Over the past two decades, efforts to clean millions of tons of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) dumped by General Electric plants have been underway. Other parks such as Chicago’s Millennium Park and the grounds surrounding the Gateway Arch in St. Louis are also in proximity to pollution sites.

Encouraging Awareness and Advocacy

Despite not directly linking pollution presence to health effects in parks, the study emphasizes the dual role of parks in enhancing life quality and exposing communities to potential environmental hazards. Clarke hopes the findings steer park planners to choose land further from pollution sources, encouraging informed community actions.

“We urge community members to investigate their local parks’ environmental conditions and advocate for improved management,” Chemberlin and Clarke expressed to Nexstar.