Analyzing the links between superfund sites and community health in the state of New Jersey
Presentation Type
Abstract
Faculty Advisor
Greg Pope
Access Type
Event
Start Date
25-4-2025 1:30 PM
End Date
25-4-2025 2:29 PM
Description
The Superfund Act of 1980 was established to ensure the responsible cleanup of hazardous waste sites around the United States while holding the liable party accountable, in order to decrease environmental harm and health risks for surrounding communities. The state of New Jersey is home to the most Superfund sites in the country, with 115 listed on the EPA’s National Priorities List (NPL). With this context, municipalities surrounding these sites are still at risk of health complications before, during, and even after the cleanup process. Using the EPA’s Superfund NPL, New Jersey State census information, and the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) State Health Assessment data, this research project focuses on combining these factors to view the correlations between them. While all of these data sets exist in their own spaces, this project aims to accomplish the goal of grouping them together through the use of statistical and spatial analysis to find their commonalities. In doing so, with the use of ArcGIS Pro to provide accurate analysis, it is anticipated that the proximity of Superfund sites in the state of New Jersey will directly correlate with health issues and likely socioeconomic status. The results of this project could have implications for community health practices, as well as cleanup methods and timelines for these sites.
Analyzing the links between superfund sites and community health in the state of New Jersey
The Superfund Act of 1980 was established to ensure the responsible cleanup of hazardous waste sites around the United States while holding the liable party accountable, in order to decrease environmental harm and health risks for surrounding communities. The state of New Jersey is home to the most Superfund sites in the country, with 115 listed on the EPA’s National Priorities List (NPL). With this context, municipalities surrounding these sites are still at risk of health complications before, during, and even after the cleanup process. Using the EPA’s Superfund NPL, New Jersey State census information, and the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) State Health Assessment data, this research project focuses on combining these factors to view the correlations between them. While all of these data sets exist in their own spaces, this project aims to accomplish the goal of grouping them together through the use of statistical and spatial analysis to find their commonalities. In doing so, with the use of ArcGIS Pro to provide accurate analysis, it is anticipated that the proximity of Superfund sites in the state of New Jersey will directly correlate with health issues and likely socioeconomic status. The results of this project could have implications for community health practices, as well as cleanup methods and timelines for these sites.
Comments
Poster presentation at the 2025 Student Research Symposium.