Unveiling Toxic Releases
The geo-story is the culmination of the collaborative efforts of Zach Ashby, Jonathan Garcia, Maggie Ottenbreit, and Mia Rodgers. Despite our collective efforts, each of us undertook a unique site for in-depth exploration. My focus centered on the Ford Motor Plant. Through my work, I aimed to illuminate the detrimental impact of toxic chemical emissions from industrial facilities and the enduring consequences of prolonged contamination on the health of local residents. The following work exclusively represents my individual contributions.
What is the Chicago Industrial Corridor System?
The Chicago Industrial Corridor System, originating in the late 1800s, is a network of designated industrial zones. At its core lies Lake Calumet, once a vibrant hub for numerous large industrial enterprises; however, the negative impacts of industrial sites on surrounding communities began to gain traction notably in the late 20th century, and the biggest discoveries were made with the help of data collection by the TRI.
What is the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI)?
On October 17, 1986, President Reagan signed the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) into law. Section 313 created the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) to provide communities with information about toxic chemical releases from industrial facilities into the environment and to support informed decision-making.
Where are the majority of TRI sites located?
In 1990, 5,356 facilities were reported as TRI sites in the state of Illinois, with the majority of facilities (2,321) in Cook County. Figure 3 shows the density of TRI sites in Cook County from 1990 to 2017. The majority of these sites are located within or close to the industrial corridors.
What differences emerge when we compare the quantity of toxic releases?
When the map is weighted by the number of toxic releases in comparison to point location density, it becomes evident that the Calumet Corridor exhibits the highest volume of both on-site and off-site toxic releases, as seen in Figure 4.
Which companies had the highest volume of toxic releases?
Focusing on the Calumet Corridor, the facilities with the highest volume of toxic releases reported are Acme Steel, Befesa Zinc, and Ford Motor Company (Figure 5). The development of facilities near Lake Calumet was influenced by the access to water transportation and the proximity to railways and highways. Each of these facilities appeared on the TRI list in ‘90, ‘95, ‘00, ‘05, ‘10, ‘15, ‘16, ‘17, suggesting long-term contamination, and repeated toxic exposures for both workers at these sites, and residents living in close proximity.
How have these facilities impacted residents’ health?
This dense cluster of high-emission facilities has significantly harmed residents’ health. For example, this region experiences a notably higher rate of coronary heart disease compared to both the rest of Chicago and other industrial corridors.
Conclusion
The TRI’s inception in 1986 illuminated the extensive release of toxic chemicals and revealed the Calumet Corridor as a central area impacted by these releases. The proximity of industrial facilities to Lake Calumet and the concentration of high toxic releases highlight the complex relationship between economic/industrial development and the well-being of communities. The Urbanocene is not solely a narrative of advancement or progress, it has also triggered significant repercussions that demand our attention.
