The Philadelphia area is no stranger to pollutants from oil refineries and incinerators. And if you live along the Delaware River, you’re more likely to be exposed to hazardous waste sites. That’s true for Port Richmond, where a large, toxic black mound called the Franklin Slag Pile is being cleaned up after over two decades. But what exactly is this site, and what makes it so dangerous?
What’s a Superfund Site?
The Franklin Slag pile is an example of a “Superfund” site. Enacted by Congress in 1980, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (or Superfund) allows the EPA to decontaminate sites harmed by industries that released hazardous waste, substances, and materials. It holds violators accountable by requiring them either to clean up the site or to reimburse the government to do so.
To be designated a Superfund site, the process begins with a notice of a hazardous release into the environment, followed by an evaluation process. Qualified sites are then placed on the National Priorities List, which collects contaminated sites that pose the most risk to the public and the environment. Once listed, more evaluations are done to determine how these sites can be best remediated.
How Many Are in Philly?
Aside from the Franklin Slag Pile, the other Superfund site is the Metal Bank at Cottman and Delaware avenues.
There were previously more Superfund sites in Philadelphia and the rest of Pennsylvania, many of which have now been cleaned up and designated for reuse. The redevelopment can come in the form of different projects, including green space, military use, or public service.
However, in neighboring Camden County, New Jersey, nine Superfund sites pose an environmental risk for other communities in the larger Philadelphia region.
What Can I Do?
You can search Superfund sites by location through the EPA’s database. There you can find Superfunds that are currently active, proposed, or have since been removed.
Contact your legislators to voice concerns. Use these tools to find your:
You can form or join a Superfund Community Advisory Group to keep residents up to date on site activities and inform the EPA’s decision-making.
For Port Richmond residents and concerned constituents, the EPA is hosting a virtual public meeting on April 29. The agency will also be present at a future Port Richmond Neighborhood Action meeting. Follow the page for updates.
🎧 Tune into today’s episode with reporter Jordan Gass-Pooré to learn more about plans to remediate the Franklin Slag Pile and why climate change is making Philly’s toxic sites more dangerous.
