NJ residents near contaminated sites

A WNYC analysis estimates that 89% of New Jersey residents live within a mile of at least one "contaminated site" as designated by the state. Owners of contaminated sites are required to hire a Licensed Site Remediation Professional (LSRP) to formulate a cleanup plan. Sites without an LSRP are disproportionately located in low-income and minority communities.

By race (individuals)near a contaminated sitenear a site with no cleanup planHispanic96%79%Black95%75%Asian93%51%White85%42%Other90%56%By poverty status (individuals)near a contaminated sitenear a site with no cleanup planBelow94%74%Above88%51%By income (households)near a contaminated sitenear a site with no cleanup plan$0-25k92%66%$25-50k89%59%$50-75k89%55%$75-100k88%52%$100k+87%44%

Source: NJ Department of Environmental Protection, US Census Bureau. Estimates based on analysis of intersections between census tracts and one-mile radii around contaminated sites.