Legacy pollution

Frequently these include persistent organic pollutants, heavy metals or other chemicals residual in the environment long after the industrial or extraction processes that produced them.

[3] Notable legacy pollutants include mercury, PCBs, Dioxins and other chemicals that are widespread health and environmental effects.

Such mines are typically left unattended and may pose safety hazards or cause environmental damage without proper maintenance.

These wells may have been deactivated because had become uneconomic, failure to transfer ownerships (especially at bankruptcy of companies), or neglect, and thus no longer have legal owners responsible for their care.

[26] Common sources of heavy metal contamination from human actions includes cadmium, zinc, copper, nickel, and lead.

[28] The effectiveness of soil washing varies based on cleaning agents, pH levels, and the types of pollutants present.

[29] Electrokinetic remediation involves using electric currents to extract pollutants from the ecosystem, and is effective in the removal of radionuclides, heavy metals, and organic/inorganic material mixtures.

[30] For groundwater remediation, permeable barriers are commonly used to clean up pollution underground and aid in detoxification by using special materials.

Innovative strategies, such as the application of technology for monitoring and remediation, play a crucial role in mitigating the impacts of legacy pollutants on ecosystems and human health.

An environmental justice approach is critical, emphasizing the importance of equitable cleanup efforts and recognizing the right to a healthy environment for all individuals.

[37] The United States banned the pesticide in 1972, largely in part because of a movement started by Rachel Carson and the book Silent Spring.

With the development and expansion of oil sand operations in the region of the Athabasca River, concerns have been raised regarding higher cancer rates in local residents due to pollutants from tailing ponds.

[45] Evidence of mercury, nickel, thallium, and all 13 priority pollutants were discovered in nearby area samples throughout various seasons in the year varying in concentration.

[45] First Nations populations that are reliant on local foods have been found to be directly exposed to Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) as a result of oil sands operations.

The Giant Mine, with its history of arsenic pollution, and the Athabasca River, affected by oil sand operations, illustrate the dire consequences of industrial activities on local communities, particularly on Indigenous populations.

These case studies underscore the urgency of cleanup efforts and the need for ongoing vigilance to protect human health and the environment.

[49] The disaster also led to the permanent displacement of over 300,000 people from their homes, creating profound social and psychological impacts and a legacy of health and economic hardships.

[51] The social fallout includes ongoing litigation for fair compensation, lack of adequate medical facilities for the affected, and persistent economic stagnation in the community.

[52] The most common legacy pollutants found in the natural environment are lead, arsenic, bromate, brominated flame retardants (BFR's), chlorinated naphthalenes, dioxins and dioxin-like compounds, mercury, and PCBs.

[60] A study on a husband and wife who faced PCBs as an occupational hazard suffered from and developed thyroid cancer, and malignant melanoma.

[60] Residents in close proximity to PCB contamination sites face higher rates of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and reduced cognitive ability.

While some nations have advanced regulatory frameworks and technologies for pollution control, others struggle due to limited resources and infrastructure.

In 2023, the EPA deleted four sites from the National Priorities List, allowing for further development of the remediated land due to the completion of the clean-up.

It allocates funds to multifaceted infrastructure needs and will directly invest in communities focusing on environmental justice, climate change, and economic growth.

[63] In a historic move to tackle legacy pollution, the Biden Administration's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocates $16 billion towards the cleanup of abandoned mine lands and orphaned oil and gas wells.

This funding represents the largest investment in addressing legacy pollution in American history, aiming to mitigate environmental hazards, protect public health, and revitalize affected communities.

[61] By aiding in legacy pollution remediation, the law will greatly improve the disparities among communities, decreasing the social impacts.