Communities of color across the United States are facing a silent but deadly threat: increased exposure to toxic chemicals known as PFAS. These “forever chemicals” are disproportionately affecting Black and Hispanic populations, exacerbating existing health disparities and environmental injustice.
Recent studies have shown that Black people are 75% more likely than the average American to live near facilities that produce hazardous waste. This proximity to pollution hotspots, including military bases, airports, and industrial sites, puts these communities at higher risk of exposure to PFAS through contaminated drinking water.
The health consequences of PFAS exposure are severe. These chemicals have been linked to thyroid disease, high cholesterol, liver disease, fertility issues, and various forms of cancer. Alarmingly, the International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified some PFAS compounds as possible carcinogens.
In New York State, several military bases have been identified as major sources of PFAS contamination. For instance, the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station has PFAS levels in its drinking water that exceed the safe exposure limit by a staggering 327,500 times. Black and Hispanic individuals comprise 26.6% of the community living near this base.
Jonathan Sharp, Chief Financial Officer at the Environmental Litigation Group, P.C., emphasizes the importance of legal action and grassroots activism in combating this environmental racism. While the military plans to phase out the use of PFAS-containing firefighting foam by the end of 2024, communities of color will continue to face disproportionate exposure to toxic agents.
As the fight for environmental justice continues, addressing these stark health disparities remains a critical challenge for policymakers and community leaders alike.
See “PFAS Toxicity Exacerbates Environmental Injustice for Communities of Color” (September 2024
