Greta Jimenez
Globeville, a neighbourhood in Denver, Colorado, has been called the most polluted zip code in the United States. The area has a history of contamination, with a study from ATTOM Data Solutions ranking its environmental hazard index score higher than areas in San Bernardino, Baltimore, and Los Angeles. The neighbourhood's industrial past has left a legacy of environmental pollution, with residents expressing concerns about heavy metals in the soil from metal smelting and modern car exhaust. Interstate highways and mega-construction projects have also contributed to automobile pollution and poor air quality. Despite these issues, Globeville has seen strong developer interest and rising home prices.
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What You'll Learn
Globeville's air pollution
Globeville, a neighbourhood in Denver, Colorado, has been labelled as the most polluted zip code in the United States. The area has a history of contamination, stemming from its industrial past. In the late 1800s, smelters released lead, arsenic, heavy metals and slag into the environment, contaminating the soil. Despite this history, the area has seen strong developer interest and rising home prices.
The 80216 ZIP code, which includes Globeville, was given a score of 455 on the environmental hazard index by ATTOM Data Solutions, ranking higher than areas in San Bernardino, Baltimore, and Los Angeles. This score took into account the number of Superfund sites, brownfield sites, active polluters, and overall air quality. The area still has two dozen active polluters, according to the 2015 Toxics Release Inventory, and residents have expressed concerns about pollution from nearby interstate highways and refineries.
The health impacts of the pollution in Globeville are evident, with children in the neighbourhood visiting the emergency room for asthma at significantly higher rates than other Denver communities. Additionally, more than half of the adults in the area are overweight or obese, and physical inactivity is prevalent. Local schoolchildren also exercise less than the recommended amount. The area has a low tree canopy percentage, which can affect air quality and exacerbate the issue.
While some residents have downplayed the severity of the pollution, acknowledging the vibrant and welcoming community, others have called for more air pollution test sites, truck rerouting, and improvements to infrastructure and green spaces. Community activists have formed strategic alliances to file lawsuits against projects that disregard the community's needs and have sought to gain political power to shape future projects. Despite these efforts, the government has been accused of neglecting its responsibility to protect citizens, with construction projects compounding pollution concerns.
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Soil contamination
Globeville, a neighbourhood in Denver, Colorado, has been described as the most polluted zip code in the country. The area has a history of contamination, stemming from its industrial past. In the late 1800s, smelters released lead, arsenic, heavy metals, and slag, which contaminated the soil. Even today, Globeville continues to face environmental pollution, with residents expressing concerns about the presence of heavy metals from metal smelting and modern car exhaust.
The effects of soil contamination can be far-reaching. Contaminated soil can lead to the pollution of groundwater, as toxic substances leach into the water table, affecting drinking water sources and aquatic ecosystems. It can also impact the growth of plants, as toxic substances can be absorbed by their roots, leading to reduced crop yields and even the accumulation of harmful substances in edible parts. This contamination can then enter the food chain, posing risks to humans and animals that consume contaminated plants or animals that feed on them.
Additionally, soil contamination can have direct health consequences for humans. In Globeville, residents have expressed concerns about the impact of pollution on their health, with children in the neighbourhood visiting the emergency room for asthma at significantly higher rates than other Denver communities. Heavy metals and toxic chemicals in the soil can be ingested or absorbed through direct contact, leading to various health issues, including respiratory problems, developmental issues, and even serious illnesses such as cancer.
To address soil contamination, remediation efforts are often necessary. This can involve removing and replacing contaminated soil, implementing phytoremediation techniques using plants to absorb and reduce contaminant levels, or employing chemical and biological treatments to break down or neutralise pollutants. However, remediation can be a complex and costly process, requiring comprehensive site assessment, the selection of appropriate remediation technologies, and careful implementation to ensure the effectiveness and safety of the chosen methods.
While Globeville has faced significant soil contamination, it is important to note that remediation efforts and community activism have played a role in addressing these issues. The success of these efforts can vary, and ongoing pollution sources, such as automobile emissions and construction projects, continue to pose challenges. Nonetheless, by raising awareness, demanding action, and implementing remediation strategies, communities like Globeville can work towards improving their environmental conditions and reducing the health risks associated with soil contamination.
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Interstate highways
The Globeville neighbourhood in Denver, Colorado, is one of the most polluted areas in the United States. It is situated near Interstate 70, a major highway with a high volume of daily traffic. The area has a long history of industrial activity, including metal smelting, which has contaminated the soil with heavy metals and other toxins. The interstate expansion and other construction projects have exacerbated the community's concerns about pollution and its impact on the health and well-being of residents.
In the case of Globeville, the presence of the interstate highway, combined with industrial activities, has led to a range of environmental concerns. Residents worry about the cumulative effects of pollution from heavy metals, car exhaust, and construction dust. The area has been stigmatized due to its negative image, and residents struggle with respiratory issues and a lack of access to healthy food options and safe public spaces. The expansion of Interstate 70 and other redevelopment projects have further heightened anxieties about the environmental and health risks in the community.
The impact of interstate highways on pollution extends beyond Globeville. A case study of Los Angeles County in the US and Toronto, Canada, found that 30-45% of the population in these urban areas lived within 500 meters of a highway, increasing their exposure to traffic-related air pollution. The percentage of the population living near major highways is positively correlated with the percentage of people residing in urban areas, indicating a higher risk of pollution exposure in cities.
While interstate highways contribute to pollution, it is important to consider the broader context of environmental hazards and socio-demographic factors. In the case of Globeville, the presence of Superfund sites, brownfield sites, and active polluters, as identified by the Toxics Release Inventory, have further exacerbated the pollution issues. Additionally, socio-economic disparities play a role, with minority and lower-income communities often bearing the brunt of higher residential exposure to traffic and pollution.
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Active polluters
Denver's Globeville neighbourhood has been labelled the most polluted zip code in the country. The area has a history of contamination, with the soil tainted by lead, arsenic, heavy metals, and slag from the late 1800s. Even in 2022, Denver Water was replacing water lines to houses in Globeville to ensure they were clear of lead.
The 2015 Toxics Release Inventory identified 14 active polluters in the 80216 ZIP code, which includes Globeville and Elyria-Swansea. This area has a high environmental risk due to its proximity to tailpipe and refinery emissions, and it is surrounded by interstate highways. The multi-year expansion of Interstate 70, which runs through the middle of Globeville, has further exacerbated pollution concerns.
The area has a low tree-canopy percentage, which could be contributing to poor air quality. Additionally, the average household income in Globeville is $39,200, much lower than Denver's average of $73,100. This has resulted in a lack of services and communal functions, with residents reporting too few fresh groceries, unsafe sidewalks, and sparse green spaces.
The health of residents is also a concern, with children in the neighbourhood visiting the emergency room for asthma at significantly higher rates than other Denver communities. More than half of the adults in the area are overweight or obese, and physical activity levels are lower than the Denver average.
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Health issues
Globeville, a neighbourhood in Denver, Colorado, has been labelled as the most polluted zip code in the United States. The area has a history of contamination, stemming from the late 1800s when smelters released lead, arsenic, heavy metals, and other toxins into the environment, contaminating the soil. While efforts have been made to clean up these toxins, the presence of interstate highways, industrial activity, and mega-construction projects continue to contribute to air pollution in the area.
The health of residents in Globeville is a significant concern due to the high levels of pollution. According to the Health Impact Assessment (HIA), children in Globeville and the neighbouring community of Elyria-Swansea visit the emergency room for asthma-related issues at significantly higher rates than other Denver communities. This is likely due to the poor air quality, with automobile tailpipe emissions and refinery emissions being major contributors. Francisca, a resident of Elyria-Swansea, shares that her daughter's asthma is aggravated by playing outside, which is a worrying concern for any parent.
In addition to respiratory issues, the HIA also found that Globeville residents face other health challenges. More than half of the adults in the area are overweight or obese, and physical inactivity is prevalent, with adults being only about half as physically active as the rest of Denver. The lack of safe sidewalks, sparse green spaces, and the constant worry about environmental pollution contribute to these health issues. The area also has one of the lowest tree-canopy percentages among Denver neighbourhoods, which not only affects air quality but also opportunities for exercise and outdoor recreation.
The impact of pollution on mental health cannot be overlooked. The constant exposure to toxins and the lack of a supportive community environment can take a toll on the mental well-being of residents. The absence of services and communal functions, as well as the negative perception of the neighbourhood, can lead to social isolation and mental health concerns. While some residents share their love for the community and neighbours, the area has been described as a "food desert," indicating limited access to healthy and affordable food options, which can further exacerbate health inequalities.
While there are conflicting opinions on the severity of air quality issues in Globeville, with an environmental toxicologist resident sharing their experience of having "no issues", the data and lived experiences of many residents paint a concerning picture. The health issues faced by residents are multi-faceted and complex, requiring a range of interventions, from improved air quality and pollution reduction measures to increased access to health services and community development initiatives.
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Frequently asked questions
Globeville, a neighborhood in Denver, Colorado, is considered one of the most polluted areas in the United States. The area has a history of contamination, with two dozen active polluters as of 2015, and has been ranked as the country's most polluted ZIP code (80216) based on environmental hazard indices.
Globeville's pollution stems from various factors, including proximity to interstate highways, automobile tailpipe emissions, refineries, and heavy industry. The neighborhood is surrounded by mega-construction projects, stirring up old Superfund pollution sites. Additionally, there is a history of metal smelting in the area, leading to concerns about heavy metal contamination.
The pollution in Globeville has had noticeable health impacts on its residents. The area has seen significantly higher rates of children visiting the emergency room for asthma compared to other Denver communities. Additionally, more than half of the adults in the area are overweight or obese, and physical activity levels are lower than the Denver average.
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