Hazardous Sites Are Concentrated Near Low-Income Communities
An analysis by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) finds that about 70 percent of the country’s most contaminated properties, or Superfund sites, are within a mile of low-income housing. The two agencies began documenting the relationship between Superfund sites and low-income housing after an EPA investigation in Chicago found extremely high levels of lead in public housing. EPA and HUD have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on the issue, but have not yet outlined any next steps.