Most Public Parks in the US Are Near Hazardous Waste Sites
University of Michigan researchers have revealed that more than half of the parks in the US are located near facilities dealing with toxic chemicals.
A new study conducted by University of Michigan researchers has revealed that more than half of the over 151,000 public parks across the United States are located within two miles of industrial facilities handling toxic chemicals.
Parks and Toxic Facilities
The study examined more than 151,000 public parks across the U.S. and found that more than half of them are located near industrial facilities dealing with toxic chemicals.
Intersections with Superfund Sites
The review determined that nearly 27,000 parks are located near areas designated as Superfund sites due to severe pollution, and more than 2,400 parks directly overlap with these sites.
Environmental Risks and Cleanup
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency states that improperly managed hazardous waste can pose risks to humans, and leads the cleanup of these areas.
Major Parks and Summary
The study did not measure the impact of the parks on the environment or visitors, but highlighted the proximity of prominent areas such as Central Park in New York and Millennium Park in Chicago to these sites.