Public input sought at meeting to update community on EPA's cleanup plan at the Collins & Aikman Plant (former) Superfund Site
BOSTON, MASS (July 3, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a plan to clean up the Collins & Aikman Plant (former) Superfund Site and will hold a public meeting and public hearing to update the community on proposed remediation plan and to accept comments.
EPA's proposed plan summarizes risks posed by contamination at the site and presents and evaluation of cleanup options. EPA also identifies the Agency's preferred cleanup alternative along with the other cleanup options considered.
The community is invited to attend the public meeting and hearing in person:
When: July 16, 2024 - 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.Where: Old Town Hall located at 531 Main St in Farmington, NH.
Those interested in attending vrtually can register at: www.epa.gov/superfund/collins.
EPA will accept public comments during a 30-day formal public comment period from July 1, 2024 – July 30, 2024.
Email comments no later than July 30, 2024, to Hull.Richard@epa.gov, or mail to:
Richard Hull
EPA Region 1 New England
5 Post Office Square, Suite 100
Mail Code: 07-1
Boston, MA 02109-3912
Additionally, verbal comments may be made during the formal public hearing following the informational meeting on July 16, 2024.
Links to Proposed Plan and Administrative Record:
Proposed Plan, 6/26/2024 (pdf) (9.3 MB).
Administrative Record for Proposed Plan
Additional information about the Collins & Aikman Plant (former) Superfund Site can be found at: www.epa.gov/superfund/collins.
Background
The Collins & Aikman Plant (former) site is located on a 123-acre parcel in Farmington, New Hampshire. The majority of the property consists of undeveloped wooded areas and remnants of the concrete floor from the 267,000 square foot (ft2) former manufacturing building which was demolished in 2010. The former actively used area of the property reportedly occupied approximately 33 acres and included the manufacturing building, a 60,000-ft2 warehouse, and paved areas.
From 1966 to 2006, operations included the manufacturing of automotive instrument panels and other injection molded automotive interior components. Manufacturing operations included polyurethane foam molding and construction of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) shells. These operations used the solvents tetrachloroethene (PCE), trichloroethene (TCE) and vinyl chloride, as well as other hazardous chemicals, some of which were released to the environment. In 1984, a water supply well operated by the Town of Farmington and located approximately 3,500 feet from the Collins & Aikman Plant (former) site was found to be contaminated with VOCs. Numerous investigation and remedial activities were undertaken prior to EPA placing the Collins & Aikman Plant (former) site on the Superfund program's National Priorities List (NPL) for cleanup in December 2013.
EPA's proposed plan summarizes risks posed by contamination at the site and presents and evaluation of cleanup options. EPA also identifies the Agency's preferred cleanup alternative along with the other cleanup options considered.
The community is invited to attend the public meeting and hearing in person:
When: July 16, 2024 - 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.Where: Old Town Hall located at 531 Main St in Farmington, NH.
Those interested in attending vrtually can register at: www.epa.gov/superfund/collins.
EPA will accept public comments during a 30-day formal public comment period from July 1, 2024 – July 30, 2024.
Email comments no later than July 30, 2024, to Hull.Richard@epa.gov, or mail to:
Richard Hull
EPA Region 1 New England
5 Post Office Square, Suite 100
Mail Code: 07-1
Boston, MA 02109-3912
Additionally, verbal comments may be made during the formal public hearing following the informational meeting on July 16, 2024.
Links to Proposed Plan and Administrative Record:
Proposed Plan, 6/26/2024 (pdf) (9.3 MB).
Administrative Record for Proposed Plan
Additional information about the Collins & Aikman Plant (former) Superfund Site can be found at: www.epa.gov/superfund/collins.
Background
The Collins & Aikman Plant (former) site is located on a 123-acre parcel in Farmington, New Hampshire. The majority of the property consists of undeveloped wooded areas and remnants of the concrete floor from the 267,000 square foot (ft2) former manufacturing building which was demolished in 2010. The former actively used area of the property reportedly occupied approximately 33 acres and included the manufacturing building, a 60,000-ft2 warehouse, and paved areas.
From 1966 to 2006, operations included the manufacturing of automotive instrument panels and other injection molded automotive interior components. Manufacturing operations included polyurethane foam molding and construction of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) shells. These operations used the solvents tetrachloroethene (PCE), trichloroethene (TCE) and vinyl chloride, as well as other hazardous chemicals, some of which were released to the environment. In 1984, a water supply well operated by the Town of Farmington and located approximately 3,500 feet from the Collins & Aikman Plant (former) site was found to be contaminated with VOCs. Numerous investigation and remedial activities were undertaken prior to EPA placing the Collins & Aikman Plant (former) site on the Superfund program's National Priorities List (NPL) for cleanup in December 2013.
EPA Fines Two Oahu Nurseries over Federal Worker Protection Standard Violations
SAN FRANCISCO – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced settlements of two cases involving agricultural worker protection, one with Olomana Orchids Inc., in Kaneohe, and one with Mari’s Gardens LLC, in Mililani. Both farms are located on the island of Oʻahu.
“Reducing pesticide exposure is a high priority for EPA. With our state partners, we’re focused on protecting agricultural workers and pesticide handlers,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “All farms, nurseries, and agricultural establishments must follow pesticide label instructions and ensure their workers are properly trained to safely use and apply pesticides and work in treated areas.”
“The EPA’s Worker Protection Standard helps to protect the health and safety of Hawai‘i’s agricultural workers and their families,” said Sharon Hurd, chairperson of the Hawai‘i Board of Agriculture. “All agricultural operations should make it a priority to ensure the proper use of pesticides and to require proper training for workers.”
Olomana Orchids will pay $2,505 for failing to ensure that two of its workers had been trained in accordance with the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Worker Protection Standard (WPS). Mari’s Gardens will pay $1,173 for failing to provide complete decontamination supplies to its handlers in accordance with the WPS. The State of Hawaiʻi conducted the inspections at each nursery in 2021 and afterwards referred both cases to the EPA in 2023 for resolution.
Learn more about EPA’s Occupational Pesticide Safety and Health and Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS)
For more information on reporting possible violations of environmental laws and regulations, visit EPA’s enforcement reporting website.
Learn about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
“Reducing pesticide exposure is a high priority for EPA. With our state partners, we’re focused on protecting agricultural workers and pesticide handlers,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “All farms, nurseries, and agricultural establishments must follow pesticide label instructions and ensure their workers are properly trained to safely use and apply pesticides and work in treated areas.”
“The EPA’s Worker Protection Standard helps to protect the health and safety of Hawai‘i’s agricultural workers and their families,” said Sharon Hurd, chairperson of the Hawai‘i Board of Agriculture. “All agricultural operations should make it a priority to ensure the proper use of pesticides and to require proper training for workers.”
Olomana Orchids will pay $2,505 for failing to ensure that two of its workers had been trained in accordance with the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Worker Protection Standard (WPS). Mari’s Gardens will pay $1,173 for failing to provide complete decontamination supplies to its handlers in accordance with the WPS. The State of Hawaiʻi conducted the inspections at each nursery in 2021 and afterwards referred both cases to the EPA in 2023 for resolution.
Learn more about EPA’s Occupational Pesticide Safety and Health and Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS)
For more information on reporting possible violations of environmental laws and regulations, visit EPA’s enforcement reporting website.
Learn about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
EPA Settles Safe Drinking Water Act Claims with Power Company in Southern California
SAN FRANCISCO – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement with Sunrise Power Company for claims of Safe Drinking Water Act violations at the company’s Sunrise Power Plant in Kern County, California. Sunrise Power has agreed to pay a penalty of $55,788 to resolve permit violations of the Underground Injection Control Program.
“Facilities operating underground injection wells must comply with all permit conditions in order to protect underground sources of drinking water,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “Failure to adhere to all permit requirements risks damage to vital and limited groundwater resources.”
EPA classifies injection wells into one of six types. Sunrise Power has a permit to inject non-hazardous waste, such as plant and equipment drains wastewater, into the Upper Tulare formation via a Class I Non-Hazardous Waste Injection Well permit. EPA claims that in June 2022 Sunrise Power violated the permit and the Safe Drinking Water Act by failing to maintain the mechanical integrity of an injection well, allowing wastewater to rise to the ground surface.
Injection wells are used to place fluid underground into porous geologic formations for storage or disposal. EPA’s Underground Injection Control Program works with underground injection well owners and operators to ensure their practices do not impact underground sources of drinking water. EPA conducts regular inspections to verify injection well operations comply with the injection well permits and applicable requirements.
Read EPA's proposed settlement with Sunrise Power Company.
Learn more about EPA’s Underground Injection Control Program.
Read about EPA enforcement and how to report possible violations of environmental laws and regulations.
Learn about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
“Facilities operating underground injection wells must comply with all permit conditions in order to protect underground sources of drinking water,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “Failure to adhere to all permit requirements risks damage to vital and limited groundwater resources.”
EPA classifies injection wells into one of six types. Sunrise Power has a permit to inject non-hazardous waste, such as plant and equipment drains wastewater, into the Upper Tulare formation via a Class I Non-Hazardous Waste Injection Well permit. EPA claims that in June 2022 Sunrise Power violated the permit and the Safe Drinking Water Act by failing to maintain the mechanical integrity of an injection well, allowing wastewater to rise to the ground surface.
Injection wells are used to place fluid underground into porous geologic formations for storage or disposal. EPA’s Underground Injection Control Program works with underground injection well owners and operators to ensure their practices do not impact underground sources of drinking water. EPA conducts regular inspections to verify injection well operations comply with the injection well permits and applicable requirements.
Read EPA's proposed settlement with Sunrise Power Company.
Learn more about EPA’s Underground Injection Control Program.
Read about EPA enforcement and how to report possible violations of environmental laws and regulations.
Learn about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
Public input sought for proposed prospective purchaser agreement to redevelop the Olin Eames Street Property in Wilmington, Massachusetts
BOSTON (July 2, 2024) – Today, the United States Environmental Protection Agency announced a proposed Prospective Purchaser Agreement (PPA) that is open for public comment for the Olin property– the approximately 50-acre parcel at 51 Eames Street in Wilmington, Massachusetts – where chemical manufacturing and waste disposal activities were formerly conducted. These industrial activities resulted in extensive environmental contamination that led to the Olin Chemical Superfund Site's designation as a federal Superfund site in 2006.
A prospective purchaser agreement is the primary settlement tool used by EPA to address the liability concerns of a prospective purchaser or other third party who wants to redevelop a site. EPA's proposed PPA is with the real estate developer Wilmington Woburn Industrial, LLC (WWI), previously Wilmington Woburn Intermodal, LLC, an affiliate of GFI Partners, LLC.
WWI has informed EPA that its planned redevelopment of the Olin property includes the construction of a 195,400 square foot warehouse facility at the main entrance to the Olin property along Eames Street.
In the PPA, WWI agrees that it will coordinate and cooperate with Olin Corporation to ensure that the construction of the project will be consistent with the requirements of EPA's cleanup plan for the site and EPA's legal agreement with Olin Corporation and three other parties responsible for the contamination, to conduct the cleanup and pay agency oversight costs.
The proposed PPA, signed by WWI, EPA, and the Environmental and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, is subject to a 30-day public comment period. The PPA and related Site documents are available at EPA's website https://www.epa.gov/superfund/olin.
The proposed PPA is also available at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for Docket ID No. EPA-R01-SFUND-2024-0214.
The proposed PPA and related Site documents are also available for public inspection at the U.S. EPA, Region 1, SEMD Records and Information Center, 5 Post Office Square, Suite 100, Boston, MA 02109 by appointment only (by calling 617-918-1440 or by emailing r1.records-sems@epa.gov).
EPA has prepared a fact sheet with responses to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the proposed PPA with WWI. The FAQ fact sheet can be found here: https://semspub.epa.gov/src/document/01/100024854 (pdf) (3.2 MB).
Dates of the Public Comment Period: Tues, July 2, 2024 to Thurs, Aug. 1, 2024
To submit comments: Submit your comments online at https://www.regulations.gov (Docket ID No. EPA-R01-SFUND-2024-0214). Enter EPA-R01-SFUND-2024-0214 in the search field. Then, click on the Comment button.
Background:
The site (pdf) (1.7 MB) includes the Olin property and the surrounding areas that have been impacted by contaminant releases from manufacturing and waste disposal activities formerly conducted at the Olin property.
Chemical manufacturing by a series of owners and operators began at the Olin property in 1953 and continued until the facility closed in 1986. Olin Corporation purchased the property in 1980. The facility was used to produce blowing agents, stabilizers, antioxidants, and other specialty chemicals for the rubber and plastics industries. Prior to the early 1970s, chemicals were discharged into several unlined pits and ponds in the central portion of the property, and later even when lined lagoons were used, leaks in the liners resulted in additional releases of fluids. As the liquid materials moved downward through the soil, they reached the groundwater table – because the liquids were denser than water, they continued to sink downward (as dense aqueous phase liquid or "DAPL"), pooling in a series of cascading depressions on the bedrock surface.
Ultimately, contaminated groundwater migrated nearly a mile to the west and northwest of the Olin property and resulted in the Town of Wilmington placing its municipal drinking water supply wells in the Maple Meadow Brook aquifer off-line due to contamination from the site.
The cleanup plan for the site was selected by EPA in 2021 (in a Record of Decision or "ROD") and includes interim actions to remove ongoing sources of contamination in groundwater and final cleanup actions for addressing contaminated soil, sediments, and surface water at the site. In parallel to the cleanup, studies are ongoing under a separate 2007 EPA settlement agreement to improve the characterization of the bedrock and further define the extent of groundwater contamination. These studies will be used to evaluate long-term groundwater cleanup options, leading to the selection in the future of a final cleanup plan for groundwater. In the near term, these aquifer studies will help identify the best places to locate groundwater extraction wells for the cleanup.
Olin Corporation submitted the first set of technical workplans for the cleanup in January, which are currently being reviewed by EPA. A fact sheet with more information about the cleanup, how the work will be organized, and opportunities for public input may be found here: https://semspub.epa.gov/src/document/01/100024854 (pdf) (3.2 MB)
For more information about the site, visit: www.epa.gov/superfund/olin.
A prospective purchaser agreement is the primary settlement tool used by EPA to address the liability concerns of a prospective purchaser or other third party who wants to redevelop a site. EPA's proposed PPA is with the real estate developer Wilmington Woburn Industrial, LLC (WWI), previously Wilmington Woburn Intermodal, LLC, an affiliate of GFI Partners, LLC.
WWI has informed EPA that its planned redevelopment of the Olin property includes the construction of a 195,400 square foot warehouse facility at the main entrance to the Olin property along Eames Street.
In the PPA, WWI agrees that it will coordinate and cooperate with Olin Corporation to ensure that the construction of the project will be consistent with the requirements of EPA's cleanup plan for the site and EPA's legal agreement with Olin Corporation and three other parties responsible for the contamination, to conduct the cleanup and pay agency oversight costs.
The proposed PPA, signed by WWI, EPA, and the Environmental and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, is subject to a 30-day public comment period. The PPA and related Site documents are available at EPA's website https://www.epa.gov/superfund/olin.
The proposed PPA is also available at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for Docket ID No. EPA-R01-SFUND-2024-0214.
The proposed PPA and related Site documents are also available for public inspection at the U.S. EPA, Region 1, SEMD Records and Information Center, 5 Post Office Square, Suite 100, Boston, MA 02109 by appointment only (by calling 617-918-1440 or by emailing r1.records-sems@epa.gov).
EPA has prepared a fact sheet with responses to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the proposed PPA with WWI. The FAQ fact sheet can be found here: https://semspub.epa.gov/src/document/01/100024854 (pdf) (3.2 MB).
Dates of the Public Comment Period: Tues, July 2, 2024 to Thurs, Aug. 1, 2024
To submit comments: Submit your comments online at https://www.regulations.gov (Docket ID No. EPA-R01-SFUND-2024-0214). Enter EPA-R01-SFUND-2024-0214 in the search field. Then, click on the Comment button.
Background:
The site (pdf) (1.7 MB) includes the Olin property and the surrounding areas that have been impacted by contaminant releases from manufacturing and waste disposal activities formerly conducted at the Olin property.
Chemical manufacturing by a series of owners and operators began at the Olin property in 1953 and continued until the facility closed in 1986. Olin Corporation purchased the property in 1980. The facility was used to produce blowing agents, stabilizers, antioxidants, and other specialty chemicals for the rubber and plastics industries. Prior to the early 1970s, chemicals were discharged into several unlined pits and ponds in the central portion of the property, and later even when lined lagoons were used, leaks in the liners resulted in additional releases of fluids. As the liquid materials moved downward through the soil, they reached the groundwater table – because the liquids were denser than water, they continued to sink downward (as dense aqueous phase liquid or "DAPL"), pooling in a series of cascading depressions on the bedrock surface.
Ultimately, contaminated groundwater migrated nearly a mile to the west and northwest of the Olin property and resulted in the Town of Wilmington placing its municipal drinking water supply wells in the Maple Meadow Brook aquifer off-line due to contamination from the site.
The cleanup plan for the site was selected by EPA in 2021 (in a Record of Decision or "ROD") and includes interim actions to remove ongoing sources of contamination in groundwater and final cleanup actions for addressing contaminated soil, sediments, and surface water at the site. In parallel to the cleanup, studies are ongoing under a separate 2007 EPA settlement agreement to improve the characterization of the bedrock and further define the extent of groundwater contamination. These studies will be used to evaluate long-term groundwater cleanup options, leading to the selection in the future of a final cleanup plan for groundwater. In the near term, these aquifer studies will help identify the best places to locate groundwater extraction wells for the cleanup.
Olin Corporation submitted the first set of technical workplans for the cleanup in January, which are currently being reviewed by EPA. A fact sheet with more information about the cleanup, how the work will be organized, and opportunities for public input may be found here: https://semspub.epa.gov/src/document/01/100024854 (pdf) (3.2 MB)
For more information about the site, visit: www.epa.gov/superfund/olin.
EPA, Department of Justice sue Lower Yakima Valley dairies for manure practices endangering neighboring well-users
SEATTLE -- Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Justice asked the Eastern District Court of Washington to immediately force three large Lower Yakima Valley dairies to test down-gradient wells within an area approximately three-and-one-half miles south and southwest of the dairies and supply alternative drinking water to homes where well water exceeds the federal standard for nitrate of 10 milligrams per liter.
Today’s “motion for preliminary injunction” follows the lawsuit EPA and DOJ filed on June 26 claiming the three dairies have failed to adequately control nitrate contamination from their operations. In the complaint EPA alleges the dairies, which collectively have over 30,000 animals, have failed to comply with a legal agreement they entered into with EPA in 2013 which aimed to reduce nitrate leaching from their facilities and protect downgradient community members with nitrate contaminated well water. The agencies believe this nitrate contamination may be contaminating the drinking water wells of nearby community members.
EPA is urging community members using a well within approximately three-and-one-half miles south and southwest of the dairies to visit www.epa.gov/lyvgw or call 509-204-1941 (local) or 888-508-6344 (toll free) for information on how to get their wells tested for nitrate.
Nitrate is an acute contaminant. A single exposure can pose health risks, including a condition in infants known as methemoglobinemia, also known as “blue baby syndrome,” that can result in death. People who are pregnant or have other health concerns are also at high risk from other health effects from exposure to nitrate.
“People who live near these dairies are at risk,” says Ed Kowalski, Director of EPA Region 10’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division. “It is critical that the dairies follow through on what they promised to do to protect their neighbors. The work remains unfinished and the contamination persists.”
“Everyone deserves safe drinking water,” Kowalski continues. “And we’re going to do everything we can to ensure the people near these dairies get it sooner rather than later.”
“Strong and fair enforcement of environmental and public health laws ensures a healthy community for all families to live, learn, play, and work,” stated Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington. “Protecting access to safe drinking water is needed for a high quality of life and makes our region safer and stronger.”
Specifically, EPA has asked the federal judge to require the dairies to:
Continue monitoring groundwater at their sprawling facilities
Offer nitrate testing of drinking water wells to community members within an area approximately three-and-one-half miles hydrologically downgradient
Offer to provide impacted homes with either a treatment unit or bottled water delivery if nitrate levels are above the maximum containment level of 10 mg/L
Offer professional maintenance service for any impacted home with a treatment unit
Immediately test a lined lagoon for leaks because the liner was seriously damaged during a windstorm and EPA suspects it is a source of a continuing leak of significant amounts of nitrate to groundwater
If the court agrees, EPA will notify the affected homes and will explain how affected homes can get free well testing and alternative water, if needed.
Read the complaint
Read the motion for preliminary injunction
Background
In 2010, EPA found that nitrate contamination of wells in the Lower Yakima Valley – an area historically overburdened by environmental and public health challenges -- may present an “imminent and substantial endangerment to human health.”
There are approximately 9,300 private wells in the Lower Yakima Valley that people rely on for drinking water. EPA understands that approximately 5,600 of these private wells are located in Yakima County and approximately 3,700 are located in neighboring Benton County.
Homes that receive drinking water from residential drinking water wells, or private wells, may be at risk. Residential drinking water wells include individual wells that serve one home, shared wells that serve two homes, and wells that provide drinking water to fewer than 15 service connections and fewer than 25 people per day, which are considered “Group B Public Water Systems” in the State of Washington.
While EPA is concerned about nitrate contamination in groundwater throughout the Lower Yakima Valley, it’s focused on these three large dairy operations concentrated in the Granger area where groundwater nitrate levels are particularly high, and the well-water of many downgradient homes has high levels of nitrates.
Dairies generate large quantities of liquid and solid animal waste, which contains nitrogen which can turn into nitrate in the soil. Nitrate can migrate into groundwater if not managed properly.
EPA is working with state agencies to reduce high levels of nitrate found in groundwater supplies throughout the Lower Yakima Valley and has provided funding to the Washington Department of Health to increase groundwater and air quality education and outreach in the Lower Yakima Valley. As part of this effort, Yakima County, in partnership with Washington Department of Health and the Yakima Health District, launched the Lower Yakima Valley Groundwater Management Area Safe Drinking Water Initiative to offer free well testing and free drinking water for homes whose wells exceed EPA’s health-based standard for nitrate of 10 mg/L.
What are the health risks from nitrate in drinking water?
Too much nitrate in your body makes it harder for red blood cells to carry oxygen, and symptoms can appear within hours or days. A single exposure to high nitrate levels above EPA's maximum contaminant level can cause health effects in babies, people who are pregnant and sensitive adult populations with certain health conditions. While most people recover quickly, consuming water with high nitrate levels can be dangerous for babies and some adults.
EPA recommends that people not use water with high nitrate levels to prepare baby formula.
Nitrate is not easily absorbed through healthy skin so bathing in water with high nitrate is generally considered safe, but caretakers should be cautious when bathing babies who can ingest water while bathing.
Washing clothes and most dishes in water with high nitrate levels is also generally considered to be safe, but EPA recommends using alternative water to wash and sanitize baby bottles, breast pump parts, pacifiers, and other infant feeding items that go into their mouths.
While it is considered safe to water fruit and vegetables in home gardens with water that is high in nitrate, EPA urges people to use alternative water to wash the surface of fruits and vegetables prior to cooking or eating.
Boiling water will NOT reduce nitrate levels. In fact, it will make the level of nitrate worse because some of the water will evaporate but the nitrate will not. This increases the concentration of nitrate in water.
Today’s “motion for preliminary injunction” follows the lawsuit EPA and DOJ filed on June 26 claiming the three dairies have failed to adequately control nitrate contamination from their operations. In the complaint EPA alleges the dairies, which collectively have over 30,000 animals, have failed to comply with a legal agreement they entered into with EPA in 2013 which aimed to reduce nitrate leaching from their facilities and protect downgradient community members with nitrate contaminated well water. The agencies believe this nitrate contamination may be contaminating the drinking water wells of nearby community members.
EPA is urging community members using a well within approximately three-and-one-half miles south and southwest of the dairies to visit www.epa.gov/lyvgw or call 509-204-1941 (local) or 888-508-6344 (toll free) for information on how to get their wells tested for nitrate.
Nitrate is an acute contaminant. A single exposure can pose health risks, including a condition in infants known as methemoglobinemia, also known as “blue baby syndrome,” that can result in death. People who are pregnant or have other health concerns are also at high risk from other health effects from exposure to nitrate.
“People who live near these dairies are at risk,” says Ed Kowalski, Director of EPA Region 10’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division. “It is critical that the dairies follow through on what they promised to do to protect their neighbors. The work remains unfinished and the contamination persists.”
“Everyone deserves safe drinking water,” Kowalski continues. “And we’re going to do everything we can to ensure the people near these dairies get it sooner rather than later.”
“Strong and fair enforcement of environmental and public health laws ensures a healthy community for all families to live, learn, play, and work,” stated Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington. “Protecting access to safe drinking water is needed for a high quality of life and makes our region safer and stronger.”
Specifically, EPA has asked the federal judge to require the dairies to:
Continue monitoring groundwater at their sprawling facilities
Offer nitrate testing of drinking water wells to community members within an area approximately three-and-one-half miles hydrologically downgradient
Offer to provide impacted homes with either a treatment unit or bottled water delivery if nitrate levels are above the maximum containment level of 10 mg/L
Offer professional maintenance service for any impacted home with a treatment unit
Immediately test a lined lagoon for leaks because the liner was seriously damaged during a windstorm and EPA suspects it is a source of a continuing leak of significant amounts of nitrate to groundwater
If the court agrees, EPA will notify the affected homes and will explain how affected homes can get free well testing and alternative water, if needed.
Read the complaint
Read the motion for preliminary injunction
Background
In 2010, EPA found that nitrate contamination of wells in the Lower Yakima Valley – an area historically overburdened by environmental and public health challenges -- may present an “imminent and substantial endangerment to human health.”
There are approximately 9,300 private wells in the Lower Yakima Valley that people rely on for drinking water. EPA understands that approximately 5,600 of these private wells are located in Yakima County and approximately 3,700 are located in neighboring Benton County.
Homes that receive drinking water from residential drinking water wells, or private wells, may be at risk. Residential drinking water wells include individual wells that serve one home, shared wells that serve two homes, and wells that provide drinking water to fewer than 15 service connections and fewer than 25 people per day, which are considered “Group B Public Water Systems” in the State of Washington.
While EPA is concerned about nitrate contamination in groundwater throughout the Lower Yakima Valley, it’s focused on these three large dairy operations concentrated in the Granger area where groundwater nitrate levels are particularly high, and the well-water of many downgradient homes has high levels of nitrates.
Dairies generate large quantities of liquid and solid animal waste, which contains nitrogen which can turn into nitrate in the soil. Nitrate can migrate into groundwater if not managed properly.
EPA is working with state agencies to reduce high levels of nitrate found in groundwater supplies throughout the Lower Yakima Valley and has provided funding to the Washington Department of Health to increase groundwater and air quality education and outreach in the Lower Yakima Valley. As part of this effort, Yakima County, in partnership with Washington Department of Health and the Yakima Health District, launched the Lower Yakima Valley Groundwater Management Area Safe Drinking Water Initiative to offer free well testing and free drinking water for homes whose wells exceed EPA’s health-based standard for nitrate of 10 mg/L.
What are the health risks from nitrate in drinking water?
Too much nitrate in your body makes it harder for red blood cells to carry oxygen, and symptoms can appear within hours or days. A single exposure to high nitrate levels above EPA's maximum contaminant level can cause health effects in babies, people who are pregnant and sensitive adult populations with certain health conditions. While most people recover quickly, consuming water with high nitrate levels can be dangerous for babies and some adults.
EPA recommends that people not use water with high nitrate levels to prepare baby formula.
Nitrate is not easily absorbed through healthy skin so bathing in water with high nitrate is generally considered safe, but caretakers should be cautious when bathing babies who can ingest water while bathing.
Washing clothes and most dishes in water with high nitrate levels is also generally considered to be safe, but EPA recommends using alternative water to wash and sanitize baby bottles, breast pump parts, pacifiers, and other infant feeding items that go into their mouths.
While it is considered safe to water fruit and vegetables in home gardens with water that is high in nitrate, EPA urges people to use alternative water to wash the surface of fruits and vegetables prior to cooking or eating.
Boiling water will NOT reduce nitrate levels. In fact, it will make the level of nitrate worse because some of the water will evaporate but the nitrate will not. This increases the concentration of nitrate in water.
La EPA y el Ministerio de Justicia demandan a vaquerías del Bajo Valle de Yakima por prácticas de abono que ponen en peligro a usuarios de pozos cercanos
SEATTLE (2 de julio de 2024) -- La Agencia de Protección Ambiental y el Ministerio de Justicia de EE. UU. solicitaron hoy al Tribunal de Distrito Este de Washington que obligue inmediatamente a tres importantes vaquerías del Bajo Valle de Yakima a someter a pruebas diversos pozos declive descendiente en un área aproximada de 5,5 kilómetros al sur y suroeste de sus establecimientos y a proporcionar suministros de agua potable alternativos a los hogares en los que el agua de pozo supera el estándar federal correspondiente a nitratos: 10 miligramos por litro.
La “moción para una orden judicial preliminar” de hoy es una medida inmediatamente posterior a la demanda que presentaron la EPA y el Ministerio de Justicia el 26 de junio, en la que aseveraban que ninguna de las tres vaquerías había controlado correctamente el nivel de contaminación con nitratos de sus establecimientos. En la querella, la EPA alega que las vaquerías (que en conjunto tienen más de 30.000 animales) no han cumplido con el acuerdo legal que formalizaron con la agencia en 2013, cuyo propósito era reducir las fugas de nitratos de sus establecimientos y proteger a los miembros de las comunidades declive abajo que sufren el problema de agua de pozo contaminada con nitratos. Las agencias creen que esta polución con nitratos puede estar contaminando los pozos de agua potable de los miembros de las comunidades cercanas.
La EPA insta a los miembros de las comunidades que utilizan pozos en un área aproximada de 5,5 kilómetros al sur y suroeste de las vaquerías a que visiten www.epa.gov/lyvgw o llamen al 509-204-1941 (llamadas locales) o al 888-508-6344 (línea gratuita) para obtener información sobre cómo someter sus pozos a pruebas de nitratos.
Los nitratos son contaminantes agudos. Una única exposición puede imponer riesgos para la salud, incluso una patología infantil que se conoce como metahemoglobinemia (también denominada “Síndrome del niño azul”) y puede ocasionar la muerte. Las embarazadas o las personas que padecen otros problemas de salud también corren un alto riesgo de sufrir otros efectos sobre su salud a raíz de la exposición a nitratos.
“Las personas que viven cerca de estas vaquerías están en riesgo”, así lo afirma Ed Kowalski, director de la División de Aplicación de la Ley y Verificación del Cumplimiento perteneciente a la Región 10 de la EPA. “Es fundamental que las vaquerías cumplan con lo que han prometido para proteger a sus vecinos. Todavía hay trabajo por hacer y la contaminación persiste”.
“Todos merecen agua potable segura”, continúa Kowalski. “Y vamos a hacer todo lo que podamos para garantizar que las personas que viven cerca de estas vaquerías la consigan lo antes posible”.
“Aplicar las leyes de salud pública y ambiental con solvencia y equidad garantiza una comunidad saludable para que todas las familias puedan vivir, aprender, divertirse y trabajar”, afirmó Vanessa R. Waldref, Fiscal de Estados Unidos a cargo del Distrito Este de Washington. “Es necesario proteger el acceso a agua potable segura para hacer posible una buena calidad de vida, además de que permite que nuestra región sea más segura y fuerte”.
Específicamente, la EPA le ha solicitado al juez federal que exija lo siguiente a las vaquerías:
Seguir monitoreando las napas de agua en toda la extensión de sus establecimientos.
Ofrecer pruebas de nitratos en pozos de agua potable a los miembros de las comunidades en un área aproximada de 5,5 kilómetros en declive hidrológico descendiente.
Ofrecerse a proporcionar a los hogares afectados una unidad de tratamiento o un servicio de agua embotellada si los niveles de nitratos se encuentran por encima del nivel de contención máximo: 10 mg/L
Ofrecer un servicio de mantenimiento profesional a todos los hogares afectados que tengan una unidad de tratamiento.
Someter inmediatamente a pruebas un estanque revestido en busca de fugas, puesto que el revestimiento sufrió graves daños en una tormenta y la EPA sospecha que es una fuente continua de fuga de significantes cantidades de nitratos a las napas subterráneas.
Si el tribunal está de acuerdo, la EPA notificará a los hogares afectados y les explicará de qué manera podrán acceder a pruebas de pozos gratuitas y fuentes de suministro de agua alternativas, si es necesario.
Leer los documentos legales.
Antecedentes
En el año 2010, la EPA descubrió que la contaminación con nitratos en los pozos del Bajo Valle de Yakima Valley (un área históricamente sobrecargada de problemas ambientales y de salud pública) puede imponer “peligros inminentes y sustanciales para la salud humana”.
El Bajo Valle de Yakima cuenta con aproximadamente 9300 pozos en propiedades privadas que son la fuente de agua potable de los habitantes. La EPA sabe que aproximadamente 5600 de estos pozos situados en propiedades privadas se encuentran en el condado de Yakima y que alrededor de 3700 están en el condado vecino de Benton.
Es posible que los hogares que reciben agua potable proveniente de pozos residenciales (o pozos situados en propiedades privadas), estén en riesgo. Entre los pozos de agua potable residenciales hay pozos individuales que suministran agua a un hogar específico, pozos compartidos para dos casas y pozos que proporcionan agua potable a menos de 15 conexiones del servicio y a menos de 25 personas por día, considerados “Sistemas públicos de agua del Grupo B” en el estado de Washington.
Si bien a la EPA le preocupa la contaminación con nitratos de las napas subterráneas en la totalidad del Bajo Valle de Yakima, la Agencia se concentra en estas tres importantes vaquerías del área de Granger, donde los niveles de nitratos en las napas son particularmente elevados y el agua de pozo de muchos hogares declive abajo presenta alto contenido de nitratos.
Las vaquerías generan grandes cantidades de desechos animales líquidos y sólidos; estos residuos contienen nitrógeno, que puede convertirse en nitrato en el suelo. Si no se lo controla correctamente, el nitrato puede transferirse a las napas de agua.
La EPA está trabajando con agencias estatales para reducir los altos niveles de nitratos detectados en los suministros subterráneos en todo el Bajo Valle de Yakima y ha entregado fondos al Ministerio de Salud de Washington para mejorar la educación sobre la calidad de las napas subterráneas y del aire, además de tareas de extensión en el Bajo Valle de Yakima. Como parte de este esfuerzo y en sociedad con el Ministerio de Salud de Washington y el Distrito de Salud de Yakima, el condado de Yakima lanzó la Iniciativa para agua potable segura en el área de gestión de las napas subterráneas del Bajo Valle de Yakima con el fin de ofrecer pruebas de pozos sin cargo y agua potable gratuita a los hogares con pozos que superan el estándar saludable de nitratos definido por la EPA: 10 mg/L.
¿Cuáles son los riesgos para la salud que ocasionan los nitratos en el agua potable?
El exceso de nitratos en el cuerpo hace que a los glóbulos rojos les resulte más difícil transportar oxígeno; los síntomas pueden aparecer en cuestión de horas o días. Una única exposición a altos niveles de nitratos que superen el umbral máximo de contaminantes de la EPA puede causar efectos adversos para la salud en bebés, mujeres embarazadas y adultos sensibles que padecen ciertas afecciones. Si bien la mayoría de las personas se recuperan rápido, consumir agua con altos niveles de nitratos puede ser peligroso para bebés y algunos adultos.
La EPA recomienda no utilizar agua con altos niveles de nitratos para preparar leche maternizada.
Los nitratos no se absorben fácilmente a través de la piel sana; por ese motivo, se considera que es seguro nadar en agua con altos niveles de nitratos. Sin embargo, las personas a cargo de un bebé deben ser precavidas cuando lo bañen porque pueden tragar agua.
También se considera seguro lavar prendas de vestir y la mayoría de los utensilios de cocina con agua que tiene alto contenido de nitratos; sin embargo, la EPA recomienda utilizar fuentes de agua alternativas para lavar y desinfectar biberones, piezas de sacaleches, chupetes y otros artículos para alimentar bebés que se introducen en sus bocas.
Si bien se considera seguro lavar frutas y verduras en huertas domiciliarias con agua que tiene alto contenido de nitratos, la EPA insta a las personas a que recurran a fuentes alternativas para lavar la superficie de frutas y verduras antes de cocinarlas o comerlas.
Hervir agua NO reduce los niveles de nitratos. De hecho, los empeora porque parte del agua se evaporará, pero no así los nitratos. Eso aumentará la concentración de nitratos en el agua.
en Inglés
La “moción para una orden judicial preliminar” de hoy es una medida inmediatamente posterior a la demanda que presentaron la EPA y el Ministerio de Justicia el 26 de junio, en la que aseveraban que ninguna de las tres vaquerías había controlado correctamente el nivel de contaminación con nitratos de sus establecimientos. En la querella, la EPA alega que las vaquerías (que en conjunto tienen más de 30.000 animales) no han cumplido con el acuerdo legal que formalizaron con la agencia en 2013, cuyo propósito era reducir las fugas de nitratos de sus establecimientos y proteger a los miembros de las comunidades declive abajo que sufren el problema de agua de pozo contaminada con nitratos. Las agencias creen que esta polución con nitratos puede estar contaminando los pozos de agua potable de los miembros de las comunidades cercanas.
La EPA insta a los miembros de las comunidades que utilizan pozos en un área aproximada de 5,5 kilómetros al sur y suroeste de las vaquerías a que visiten www.epa.gov/lyvgw o llamen al 509-204-1941 (llamadas locales) o al 888-508-6344 (línea gratuita) para obtener información sobre cómo someter sus pozos a pruebas de nitratos.
Los nitratos son contaminantes agudos. Una única exposición puede imponer riesgos para la salud, incluso una patología infantil que se conoce como metahemoglobinemia (también denominada “Síndrome del niño azul”) y puede ocasionar la muerte. Las embarazadas o las personas que padecen otros problemas de salud también corren un alto riesgo de sufrir otros efectos sobre su salud a raíz de la exposición a nitratos.
“Las personas que viven cerca de estas vaquerías están en riesgo”, así lo afirma Ed Kowalski, director de la División de Aplicación de la Ley y Verificación del Cumplimiento perteneciente a la Región 10 de la EPA. “Es fundamental que las vaquerías cumplan con lo que han prometido para proteger a sus vecinos. Todavía hay trabajo por hacer y la contaminación persiste”.
“Todos merecen agua potable segura”, continúa Kowalski. “Y vamos a hacer todo lo que podamos para garantizar que las personas que viven cerca de estas vaquerías la consigan lo antes posible”.
“Aplicar las leyes de salud pública y ambiental con solvencia y equidad garantiza una comunidad saludable para que todas las familias puedan vivir, aprender, divertirse y trabajar”, afirmó Vanessa R. Waldref, Fiscal de Estados Unidos a cargo del Distrito Este de Washington. “Es necesario proteger el acceso a agua potable segura para hacer posible una buena calidad de vida, además de que permite que nuestra región sea más segura y fuerte”.
Específicamente, la EPA le ha solicitado al juez federal que exija lo siguiente a las vaquerías:
Seguir monitoreando las napas de agua en toda la extensión de sus establecimientos.
Ofrecer pruebas de nitratos en pozos de agua potable a los miembros de las comunidades en un área aproximada de 5,5 kilómetros en declive hidrológico descendiente.
Ofrecerse a proporcionar a los hogares afectados una unidad de tratamiento o un servicio de agua embotellada si los niveles de nitratos se encuentran por encima del nivel de contención máximo: 10 mg/L
Ofrecer un servicio de mantenimiento profesional a todos los hogares afectados que tengan una unidad de tratamiento.
Someter inmediatamente a pruebas un estanque revestido en busca de fugas, puesto que el revestimiento sufrió graves daños en una tormenta y la EPA sospecha que es una fuente continua de fuga de significantes cantidades de nitratos a las napas subterráneas.
Si el tribunal está de acuerdo, la EPA notificará a los hogares afectados y les explicará de qué manera podrán acceder a pruebas de pozos gratuitas y fuentes de suministro de agua alternativas, si es necesario.
Leer los documentos legales.
Antecedentes
En el año 2010, la EPA descubrió que la contaminación con nitratos en los pozos del Bajo Valle de Yakima Valley (un área históricamente sobrecargada de problemas ambientales y de salud pública) puede imponer “peligros inminentes y sustanciales para la salud humana”.
El Bajo Valle de Yakima cuenta con aproximadamente 9300 pozos en propiedades privadas que son la fuente de agua potable de los habitantes. La EPA sabe que aproximadamente 5600 de estos pozos situados en propiedades privadas se encuentran en el condado de Yakima y que alrededor de 3700 están en el condado vecino de Benton.
Es posible que los hogares que reciben agua potable proveniente de pozos residenciales (o pozos situados en propiedades privadas), estén en riesgo. Entre los pozos de agua potable residenciales hay pozos individuales que suministran agua a un hogar específico, pozos compartidos para dos casas y pozos que proporcionan agua potable a menos de 15 conexiones del servicio y a menos de 25 personas por día, considerados “Sistemas públicos de agua del Grupo B” en el estado de Washington.
Si bien a la EPA le preocupa la contaminación con nitratos de las napas subterráneas en la totalidad del Bajo Valle de Yakima, la Agencia se concentra en estas tres importantes vaquerías del área de Granger, donde los niveles de nitratos en las napas son particularmente elevados y el agua de pozo de muchos hogares declive abajo presenta alto contenido de nitratos.
Las vaquerías generan grandes cantidades de desechos animales líquidos y sólidos; estos residuos contienen nitrógeno, que puede convertirse en nitrato en el suelo. Si no se lo controla correctamente, el nitrato puede transferirse a las napas de agua.
La EPA está trabajando con agencias estatales para reducir los altos niveles de nitratos detectados en los suministros subterráneos en todo el Bajo Valle de Yakima y ha entregado fondos al Ministerio de Salud de Washington para mejorar la educación sobre la calidad de las napas subterráneas y del aire, además de tareas de extensión en el Bajo Valle de Yakima. Como parte de este esfuerzo y en sociedad con el Ministerio de Salud de Washington y el Distrito de Salud de Yakima, el condado de Yakima lanzó la Iniciativa para agua potable segura en el área de gestión de las napas subterráneas del Bajo Valle de Yakima con el fin de ofrecer pruebas de pozos sin cargo y agua potable gratuita a los hogares con pozos que superan el estándar saludable de nitratos definido por la EPA: 10 mg/L.
¿Cuáles son los riesgos para la salud que ocasionan los nitratos en el agua potable?
El exceso de nitratos en el cuerpo hace que a los glóbulos rojos les resulte más difícil transportar oxígeno; los síntomas pueden aparecer en cuestión de horas o días. Una única exposición a altos niveles de nitratos que superen el umbral máximo de contaminantes de la EPA puede causar efectos adversos para la salud en bebés, mujeres embarazadas y adultos sensibles que padecen ciertas afecciones. Si bien la mayoría de las personas se recuperan rápido, consumir agua con altos niveles de nitratos puede ser peligroso para bebés y algunos adultos.
La EPA recomienda no utilizar agua con altos niveles de nitratos para preparar leche maternizada.
Los nitratos no se absorben fácilmente a través de la piel sana; por ese motivo, se considera que es seguro nadar en agua con altos niveles de nitratos. Sin embargo, las personas a cargo de un bebé deben ser precavidas cuando lo bañen porque pueden tragar agua.
También se considera seguro lavar prendas de vestir y la mayoría de los utensilios de cocina con agua que tiene alto contenido de nitratos; sin embargo, la EPA recomienda utilizar fuentes de agua alternativas para lavar y desinfectar biberones, piezas de sacaleches, chupetes y otros artículos para alimentar bebés que se introducen en sus bocas.
Si bien se considera seguro lavar frutas y verduras en huertas domiciliarias con agua que tiene alto contenido de nitratos, la EPA insta a las personas a que recurran a fuentes alternativas para lavar la superficie de frutas y verduras antes de cocinarlas o comerlas.
Hervir agua NO reduce los niveles de nitratos. De hecho, los empeora porque parte del agua se evaporará, pero no así los nitratos. Eso aumentará la concentración de nitratos en el agua.
en Inglés
EPA Releases Updated Climate Indicators Report Showing How Climate Change is Impacting People’s Health and the Environment
WASHINGTON — Today, July 2, the United States Environmental Protection Agency released the Fifth Edition of Climate Change Indicators in the United States. The report highlights new data showing the continuing and far-reaching impacts of climate change on the people and environment of the United States. New to the report this year are an indicator on Marine Heat Waves (showing trends related to multi-day high ocean temperatures) and a feature on Heat-Related Workplace Deaths.
“EPA’s Climate Change Indicators report is an authoritative resource of how the climate crisis is affecting every American right now and with increasing intensity,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Extreme heat, flooding, and wildfires have become more common, harming human health, threatening livelihoods, and causing costly damage. Regular updates to the data in the Climate Indicators website and report help us track these unprecedented changes so we are better informed in our shared work to confront the crisis.”
The Fifth Edition presents highlights from a subset of EPA’s total of 57 indicators, which include historical data and observed trends related to either the causes or effects of climate change. The report explores the interconnected nature of observed changes in climate with chapters thematically organized around Greenhouse Gases, Heat on the Rise, Extreme Events, Water Resources at Risk, Changing Seasons, Ocean Impacts, Rising Seas, and Alaska’s Warming Climate. Since publishing the first edition in 2010, EPA has maintained an up-to-date online resource of climate change indicators and regularly released updated publications that present the latest data.
EPA partners with more than 50 data contributors from various U.S. and international government agencies, academic institutions, and other organizations to compile these key indicators of climate change. EPA’s indicators show multiple lines of compelling evidence that climate change is increasingly affecting people’s health, society, and ecosystems in numerous ways. For example:
Global and U.S. Temperature – Worldwide, 2023 was the warmest year on record, 2016 was the second warmest, and 2014–2023 was the warmest decade on record since thermometer-based observations began. In the U.S., unusually hot summer days have become more common over the last few decades, and unusually hot summer nights have increased at an even faster rate, indicating less “cooling off” at night.
Heat Waves in U.S. Cities – Heat waves are occurring more often in major cities across the United States. Their frequency has steadily increased, from an average of two heat waves per year during the 1960s to six per year during the 2010s and 2020s. The average length of the heat wave season across the U.S. cities is 46 days longer now than it was in the 1960s and, in recent years, the average heat wave in major U.S. urban areas has lasted about four days.
A Closer Look – Heat-Related Workplace Deaths - From 1992 to 2022, a total of 986 workers across all industry sectors in the United States died from exposure to heat of which the construction sector accounted for about 34 percent of all occupational heat-related deaths. During this time frame, 334 construction workers died due to heat exposure on the job.
Sea Surface Temperature – Over the past century, sea surface temperature has increased and continues to rise. Sea surface temperature has been consistently higher during the past three decades than at any other time since reliable observations began in 1880.
Marine Heat Waves – Between 1982 and 2023, the annual cumulative intensity of marine heat waves has increased in most coastal U.S. waters, with the largest changes in waters off the Northeastern U.S. and Alaskan coasts. When a location experiences an increase in annual cumulative intensity over time, that means marine heat waves are becoming either more common, longer, more intense (hotter), or some combination of the three.
Marine Species Distribution – In conjunction with warming ocean waters, many marine species off U.S. coasts are shifting northward and are moving to deeper waters. Since the 1980s, shifts have occurred among several economically important fish and shellfish species. For example, American lobster, black sea bass, and red hake in the Northeast have moved northward by an average of 145 miles.
Coastal Flooding – Tidal flooding is becoming more frequent along the U.S. coastline. Most sites with long-term data experienced an increase in tidal flooding since the 1950s. At more than half of these sites, floods are now at least five times more common than they were in the 1950s. The rate of increase of flood events per year is largest at most locations in Hawai'i, and along the East and Gulf coasts.
Wildfires – The extent of area burned by wildfires in the United States has increased since the 1980s, with the largest increases occurring in the West and Southwest. Of the 10 years with the largest acreage burned, all have occurred since 2004, including peak years in 2015 and 2020. This period coincides with many of the warmest years on record nationwide.
Length of the Growing Season – The average length of the growing season in the contiguous 48 states has increased by more than two weeks since the beginning of the 20th century. A particularly large and steady increase has occurred since the 1970s. States in the West (like Washington and California) have seen the most dramatic increase.
Snowpack – From 1982 to 2023, the snowpack season became shorter at 80% of the sites measured. Across all sites, the length of the snowpack season decreased by an average of about 15 days and peak snowpack has shifted earlier by an average of nearly seven days since 1982.
Arctic Sea Ice – The September 2023 sea ice extent was the fifth smallest on record. It was about 789,000 square miles less than the historical 1981-2010 average for that month – a difference almost three times the size of Texas. Since 1979, the length of the melt season for Arctic sea ice has grown by 37 days. On average, Arctic sea ice now starts melting seven days earlier and starts refreezing 30 days later than it has historically.
Understanding and addressing climate change is critical to EPA’s mission of protecting human health and the environment. Tracking observations over time reveals valuable information about what people are experiencing today and can help inform climate solutions. The Fifth Edition of the Climate Change Indicators in the United States report provides abundant evidence of how climate change is happening all around us. Taking action to fight the urgent threat of climate change is an opportunity to build more resilient infrastructure, protect public health, advance environmental justice, strengthen America's working communities, and spur American technological innovations.
Download the report.
Explore EPA’s climate change indicators.
“EPA’s Climate Change Indicators report is an authoritative resource of how the climate crisis is affecting every American right now and with increasing intensity,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Extreme heat, flooding, and wildfires have become more common, harming human health, threatening livelihoods, and causing costly damage. Regular updates to the data in the Climate Indicators website and report help us track these unprecedented changes so we are better informed in our shared work to confront the crisis.”
The Fifth Edition presents highlights from a subset of EPA’s total of 57 indicators, which include historical data and observed trends related to either the causes or effects of climate change. The report explores the interconnected nature of observed changes in climate with chapters thematically organized around Greenhouse Gases, Heat on the Rise, Extreme Events, Water Resources at Risk, Changing Seasons, Ocean Impacts, Rising Seas, and Alaska’s Warming Climate. Since publishing the first edition in 2010, EPA has maintained an up-to-date online resource of climate change indicators and regularly released updated publications that present the latest data.
EPA partners with more than 50 data contributors from various U.S. and international government agencies, academic institutions, and other organizations to compile these key indicators of climate change. EPA’s indicators show multiple lines of compelling evidence that climate change is increasingly affecting people’s health, society, and ecosystems in numerous ways. For example:
Global and U.S. Temperature – Worldwide, 2023 was the warmest year on record, 2016 was the second warmest, and 2014–2023 was the warmest decade on record since thermometer-based observations began. In the U.S., unusually hot summer days have become more common over the last few decades, and unusually hot summer nights have increased at an even faster rate, indicating less “cooling off” at night.
Heat Waves in U.S. Cities – Heat waves are occurring more often in major cities across the United States. Their frequency has steadily increased, from an average of two heat waves per year during the 1960s to six per year during the 2010s and 2020s. The average length of the heat wave season across the U.S. cities is 46 days longer now than it was in the 1960s and, in recent years, the average heat wave in major U.S. urban areas has lasted about four days.
A Closer Look – Heat-Related Workplace Deaths - From 1992 to 2022, a total of 986 workers across all industry sectors in the United States died from exposure to heat of which the construction sector accounted for about 34 percent of all occupational heat-related deaths. During this time frame, 334 construction workers died due to heat exposure on the job.
Sea Surface Temperature – Over the past century, sea surface temperature has increased and continues to rise. Sea surface temperature has been consistently higher during the past three decades than at any other time since reliable observations began in 1880.
Marine Heat Waves – Between 1982 and 2023, the annual cumulative intensity of marine heat waves has increased in most coastal U.S. waters, with the largest changes in waters off the Northeastern U.S. and Alaskan coasts. When a location experiences an increase in annual cumulative intensity over time, that means marine heat waves are becoming either more common, longer, more intense (hotter), or some combination of the three.
Marine Species Distribution – In conjunction with warming ocean waters, many marine species off U.S. coasts are shifting northward and are moving to deeper waters. Since the 1980s, shifts have occurred among several economically important fish and shellfish species. For example, American lobster, black sea bass, and red hake in the Northeast have moved northward by an average of 145 miles.
Coastal Flooding – Tidal flooding is becoming more frequent along the U.S. coastline. Most sites with long-term data experienced an increase in tidal flooding since the 1950s. At more than half of these sites, floods are now at least five times more common than they were in the 1950s. The rate of increase of flood events per year is largest at most locations in Hawai'i, and along the East and Gulf coasts.
Wildfires – The extent of area burned by wildfires in the United States has increased since the 1980s, with the largest increases occurring in the West and Southwest. Of the 10 years with the largest acreage burned, all have occurred since 2004, including peak years in 2015 and 2020. This period coincides with many of the warmest years on record nationwide.
Length of the Growing Season – The average length of the growing season in the contiguous 48 states has increased by more than two weeks since the beginning of the 20th century. A particularly large and steady increase has occurred since the 1970s. States in the West (like Washington and California) have seen the most dramatic increase.
Snowpack – From 1982 to 2023, the snowpack season became shorter at 80% of the sites measured. Across all sites, the length of the snowpack season decreased by an average of about 15 days and peak snowpack has shifted earlier by an average of nearly seven days since 1982.
Arctic Sea Ice – The September 2023 sea ice extent was the fifth smallest on record. It was about 789,000 square miles less than the historical 1981-2010 average for that month – a difference almost three times the size of Texas. Since 1979, the length of the melt season for Arctic sea ice has grown by 37 days. On average, Arctic sea ice now starts melting seven days earlier and starts refreezing 30 days later than it has historically.
Understanding and addressing climate change is critical to EPA’s mission of protecting human health and the environment. Tracking observations over time reveals valuable information about what people are experiencing today and can help inform climate solutions. The Fifth Edition of the Climate Change Indicators in the United States report provides abundant evidence of how climate change is happening all around us. Taking action to fight the urgent threat of climate change is an opportunity to build more resilient infrastructure, protect public health, advance environmental justice, strengthen America's working communities, and spur American technological innovations.
Download the report.
Explore EPA’s climate change indicators.
US ports hit back at White House move to levy new tariff on Chinese cranes
The Biden administration’s attempts to build a homegrown crane industry due to cybersecurity concerns drew little interest from the National Association of Waterfront Employers, which doesn’t see a threat from Chinese-made cranes.