Poisoned Places: Toxic Air, Neglected Communities

Two decades ago, Democrats and Republicans together sought to protect Americans from nearly 200 dangerous chemicals in the air they breathe. That goal remains unfulfilled. Today, hundreds of communities are still exposed to the pollutants, which can cause cancer, birth defects and other serious health issues. A secret government 'watch list' underscores how much government knows about the threat – and how little it has done to address it.

Secret 'Watch List' Reveals Failure To Curb Toxic Air()  

The Continental Carbon plant sits on the southern outskirts of Ponca City, Okla. Until August, the plant was on an internal EPA "watch list," for violating rules of the Clean Air Act.

November 7, 2011 The system Congress set up 21 years ago to clean up poisonous air pollution still leaves many communities exposed to risky concentrations of benzene, formaldehyde, mercury and many other hazardous chemicals.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

Oklahoma Town Battles Powdery Carbon Pollution()  

The Continental Carbon plant sits on the southern outskirts of Ponca City, Okla. Residents blamed the plant, which produces a black dust known as carbon black, for polluting their city.

November 7, 2011 After 726 formal complaints, a union lockout, protests and lawsuits and settlements totaling about $20 million, residents in Ponca City no longer have daily struggles with carbon black.

Transcript

On All Things ConsideredPlaylist

EPA Regulations Give Kilns Permission To Pollute()  

The Ash Grove Cement Kiln, as seen from an aerial photograph, sits on the northern edge of Chanute, Kan.

November 10, 2011 Cement plants, like Ash Grove in Chanute, Kan., burn hazardous waste for fuel, causing anxiety for nearby residents despite assurances of regulators.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

A Family's Fight To Clear The Air()  

Jeff Galemore leans on his pickup truck near the Ash Grove Cement plant in Chanute, Kan. He and his family are concerned about the toxic emissions and are fighting for independent testing downwind.

November 10, 2011 The Galemore family is taking on the Ash Grove Cement Kiln in hopes of preventing hazardous emissions from poisoning their community.

Summary

N.Y. Town Unites, Exposes Pollution-Monitoring Flaws()  

A view of the Tonawanda Coke plant in Tonawanda, N.Y. The New York Department of Environmental Conservation has confirmed that the factory was emitting benzene and other carcinogens at levels many times higher than the state's limit.

November 10, 2011 After residents of Tonawanda became sick, they rallied to fight high levels of hazardous chemicals emitting from a dilapidated plant. In doing so, they revealed weaknesses in the way the EPA regulates air pollution.

Transcript

On All Things ConsideredPlaylist

The Two-Way

EPA Takes Action On Toxic Ariz. Copper Plant()  

A haze can be seen at night hovering over the Asarco copper smelter, which turns copper ore into nearly pure copper bars.

November 17, 2011 The unpublicized "finding of violation" issued against the Asarco copper smelter in Hayden, Ariz., claims the company has been emitting illegal amounts of lead, arsenic and eight other dangerous compounds for six years. Asarco disputes that.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

Poisoned Places: About The Data()  

November 7, 2011 Details on how NPR and the Center for Public Integrity investigated the "Poisoned Places: Toxic Air, Neglected Communities" series.

Summary

The Two-Way

Despite Warnings From Inspector, One Iowa Town Still Battles Toxic Air()  

The Grain Processing Corp. plant in Muscatine, Iowa.

November 30, 2011 One inspector says the Grain Processing Corp. plant in Muscatine, Iowa hasn't been complying with pollution limits for years and a lax regulation system has allowed for it.

Summary

Poisoned Places: Air Pollution In Your Town()  

November 7, 2011 To begin exploring how air pollution may affect your community, use this interactive map of more than 17,000 facilities that have emitted hazardous chemicals into the air.

Summary

Podcast + RSS Feeds

Podcast RSS

  • NPR News Investigations
     
  • Poisoned Places: Toxic Air–
     
 
 

About This Investigation

The series "Poisoned Places: Toxic Air, Neglected Communities" was reported by NPR's Elizabeth Shogren, Howard Berkes and Sandra Bartlett, together with Jim Morris, Chris Hamby, Ronnie Greene, Emma Schwartz and Kristen Lombardi from the Center for Public Integrity. Data analysis for this series was by Robert Benincasa of NPR and Elizabeth Lucas of CPI. Researchers Barbara Van Woerkom of NPR and Devorah Adler of CPI also contributed to this investigation.

Additional stories have also been done in partnership with NPR member stations and the Investigative News Network

NPR thanks our sponsors

Become an NPR Sponsor

Tell Us Your Story

Have you been affected by air pollution? Help the Center for Public Integrity and NPR continue reporting this story by clicking on the Insight button and telling us your experiences.