Futurity · Health

44% of US Pre-K-12 Schools Near Environmental Hazard Sites

A study by Brown University researchers found that 8% of U.S. pre-K-12 schools are within a quarter mile of a known environmental hazard site, and approximately 44% are within a mile, a distance linked to negative health and academic effects.

More than 3 million children attend schools located within a quarter mile of an environmental hazard site tracked by the EPA, such as Superfund sites or industrial facilities.

The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, highlights that schools in urban areas and those in the Northeast and Midwest regions are most likely to be near these sites.

Native, Black, and Hispanic students, as well as those from low-income backgrounds, are disproportionately more likely to attend schools near hazardous sites, a disparity attributed to historical industrial siting in marginalized communities.

Researchers suggest that identifying these schools can aid in targeted environmental monitoring, remediation efforts, facility upgrades, and better communication of health risks to students, families, and staff, ultimately aiming to improve the safety and health of learning environments.

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