Community Vulnerabilities to Contaminant Releases from Extreme Events
Extreme events, including excessive heat, prolonged droughts, floods, and wildfires, are projected to become more frequent and intense under future climate scenarios. When extreme events happen, contaminated sites and waste management facilities that are either actively or have a history of managing or storing hazardous substances, wastes, or potential contamination (henceforth referred to as “sites/waste facilities”) have the potential to accidentally release contaminants possibly impacting nearby communities. Understanding the risks to communities from potential exposures to water- and airborne contaminants underlies preparedness, emergency response, and mitigation planning.
To better understand and communicate what is known and unknown about such risks, this research develops and analyzes indicators of environmental, public health, socioeconomic, or other conditions to assess community vulnerabilities to potential contaminant releases from extreme events. Example applications of this research include:
- Identifying areas that are potentially vulnerable and the sources of their vulnerabilities
- Communicating how extreme events may impact such sites/waste facilities and the surrounding community.
- Developing targeted strategies (e.g., adaptation, mitigation, resilience, response) to prepare for and prevent potential health and environmental impacts.
The method presented in the Handbook provides a transparent and replicable approach that teams of planners, decision-makers, and technical advisors (for localities, cities, tribes, states, and regions), scientific researchers, environmental advocates, and community organizations may apply to screen for vulnerabilities and to communicate and focus resources effectively. The indicators were developed using publicly available datasets and in close collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and regional, state, and local partners. The indicators were further refined in case studies with the City of Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona and Waterbury, Connecticut.
History of Assessing Community Vulnerabilities to Contaminant Releases from Extreme Events
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Feb 2024 | EPA published Building Resilience to Extreme Weather Events in Phoenix: Considering Contaminated Sites and Disadvantaged Communities. |
| Jan 2024 | EPA published Assessing Community Vulnerability to Extreme Events in the Presence of Contaminated Sites and Waste Management Facilities: An Indicator Approach. |
| Aug 2023 | EPA released the factsheet, A Handbook to Assist with Planning for Extreme Climate Events When You Have Contaminated Sites and Waste Facilities in your Community. |
| Aug 2023 | EPA released the Handbook on Indicators of Community Vulnerability to Extreme Events. Considering Sites and Waste Management Facilities. |
| Oct 2021 | EPA released the factsheet, Assessing Community Vulnerability to Pollutant Releases Due to Extreme Events. |
Publications
EPA Reports
Articles
- Building Resilience to Extreme Weather Events in Phoenix: Considering Contaminated Sites and Disadvantaged Communities (Feb 2024)
- Assessing community vulnerability to extreme events in the presence of contaminated sites and waste management facilities: An indicator approach (Jan 2024)