Bronte Wells
Niagara Falls is a popular tourist attraction, but it has also been an industrial hub for decades. The abundance of low-cost hydropower attracted various industries, including the chemical sector. While the economy has benefited from these industries, there are concerns about the environmental impact, particularly pollution. The air in the region has been found to contain possible carcinogens and other harmful pollutants, and the water has also been affected by toxic waste. Despite efforts to address the issue, pollution remains a challenge, with high levels of PFAS chemicals detected in the drinking water and no immediate cleanup plans in sight for contaminated sites.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air Quality Index (AQI) in early 2021 | 7 |
| Concentration of pollutant PM2.5 in early 2021 | 4.1 µg/m³ |
| Pollutants | Ozone (O3), fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and total reduced sulphur compounds |
| Number of industrial plants in Niagara County that reported the release of 170 tons of pollutants in 2011 | 26 |
| Percentage of Niagara County's risk score that is accounted for by emissions from just three companies | 91% |
| Company with the highest risk score | Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Company |
| Company with the second-highest risk score | DuPont Niagara Falls on Buffalo Avenue |
| Company with the third-highest risk score | Buffalo Pumps Inc. on Oliver Street in North Tonawanda |
| Number of abandoned landfills containing toxic waste | 6 |
| Amount of toxic waste in the Hyde Park Boulevard chemical dump | 80,000 tons |
| Type of waste in the Hyde Park Boulevard chemical dump | Deadly toxic waste, including an estimated 1.6 tons of Dioxin |
| Percentage of toxic waste pollution that comes from former industrial and chemical companies | 90% |
| Number of waste sites identified by the EPA and NYSDEC as responsible for 99.9% of the estimated toxic loads from all sites | 24 |
| Status of cleanup plans for the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station | No cleanup plans |
| Concentration of PFAS chemicals in the groundwater at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station | Up to 300,000 times greater than drinking water standards |
| Concentration of PFAS chemicals in the surface water of Cayuga Creek downstream of the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station | Up to 147.7 parts per trillion |
| Air quality in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada | Satisfactory, with little or no risk |
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What You'll Learn
Air pollution: Carcinogens and pollutants in the air
Air pollution has long been a concern for residents and environmental regulators in Niagara Falls. The region's industrial history, particularly in the chemical sector, has resulted in the release of various carcinogens and pollutants into the air, posing potential health risks to the local community.
One of the most prominent sources of air pollution in Niagara Falls is the Goodyear Chemical Plant. For years, this plant has been releasing dangerous levels of carcinogenic chemicals, specifically ortho-toluidine and diphenylamine (DPA). Ortho-toluidine is a known human carcinogen linked to bladder cancer in animal experiments as early as the 1950s. In 2023, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) issued a notice of violation to Goodyear for failing to control emissions of these harmful substances. Despite this, residents and advocacy groups continue to await more effective pollution controls and a reduction in emissions.
The presence of ortho-toluidine and other pollutants in the air is not limited to the immediate vicinity of the Goodyear plant. Studies have shown elevated rates of bladder cancer in both workers at the plant and residents living "downwind" of the factory. This indicates that the pollution's impact extends beyond the plant's boundaries, potentially affecting a significant number of people in the region.
In addition to Goodyear, there are other companies in the area that contribute to air pollution. For example, a company on Buffalo Avenue is responsible for large amounts of chlorine emissions, accounting for 27% of the risk score for Niagara County. Another company on Oliver Street emits high levels of copper and nickel, contributing 17% to the county's risk score. These emissions, along with those from other industrial sources, collectively pose a significant risk to the health of residents in Niagara Falls and the surrounding areas.
While the local authority has implemented measures to monitor and address air pollution, such as utilising a network of monitoring stations, the overall effectiveness of these efforts is still a concern. Residents and advocacy groups have expressed their anxiety about the lack of prompt action from regulators, despite the known risks associated with the pollutants. The air quality in Niagara Falls has shown some improvement over the past decade, particularly for certain pollutants like nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide. However, the presence of carcinogens and other harmful substances in the air remains a critical issue that requires ongoing attention and more stringent measures to protect public health.
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Water pollution: Toxic waste and contaminants in the Niagara River
The Niagara River has been a site of industrial activity for generations, with companies attracted to the area by the abundance of low-cost hydropower. However, this industrial activity has come at a cost, with the river becoming a dumping ground for raw industrial waste and toxic chemicals.
In recent years, efforts have been made to clean up the Niagara River and address the issue of water pollution. However, it was reported in June 2023 that there are still no cleanup plans for the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, which is polluted with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS have been detected in the drinking water provided by the Niagara Falls Water Board, which serves about 50,000 people. The pollution is likely a result of PFAS-containing firefighting foam used for decades at the station. High levels of PFAS have also been found in the surface water, groundwater, and soil at the site.
The EPA has detected chemicals in discrete fracture zones upstream of the Falls, indicating that contaminants are now below the riverbed. In one instance, over 5,800 cubic meters of highly contaminated sediment was removed from Gill Creek, reducing the load of pollutants entering the Niagara River.
Additionally, toxic waste from abandoned chemical dumps continues to pose a significant problem for the Niagara River. The Occidental Chemical Corporation's site near the shore of the river contains an estimated 80,000 tons of deadly toxic waste, including 1.6 tons of dioxin. This toxic waste has been leaching into the river for years, and efforts to stop the seepage are ongoing.
While the air quality in Niagara Falls is generally considered satisfactory, the industrial activity in the region has led to the release of a range of pollutants into the air. Several companies have been identified as major emitters of pollutants, with Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Company accounting for almost half of the risk posed to public health by pollution in Niagara County. The air in the county has been found to contain five possible carcinogenic chemicals and more than 30 other pollutants linked to health issues.
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Industrial waste: Carcinogens and pollutants from local companies
While Niagara Falls is well-known as a tourist attraction, the region has long relied on industry as the foundation of its economy. Industries, including those in the chemical sector, were attracted to Niagara Falls due to the abundance of low-cost hydropower. Industrial activity peaked in the 1960s, and while many plants have since reduced operations or closed, industry remains a significant employer in the region.
Unfortunately, pollution is an inevitable byproduct of industrial activity, and Niagara Falls has not escaped this reality. Twenty-six large industrial units in Niagara County, most of them in the Niagara Falls region, reported releasing 170 tons of pollutants, including carcinogens, in 2011. This toxic mixture puts residents at a heightened risk of developing pollution-related health issues compared to most Americans.
One of the most prominent sources of industrial pollution in Niagara Falls is the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. chemical plant. For at least 15 years, the Goodyear plant has released dangerous levels of ortho-toluidine, a known human carcinogen linked to bladder cancer, into the surrounding environment. In July 2023, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) issued a notice of violation to Goodyear for failing to control emissions of ortho-toluidine and another possible carcinogen, diphenylamine (DPA). Despite this, more than a year later, the DEC has not ordered the company to reduce these emissions.
The impact of Goodyear's pollution is not merely hypothetical. Former residents of the nearby Love Canal, a neighbourhood built atop a waste dump, recounted how emissions from Goodyear's stacks would fall on and dissolve the paint of cars in the plant's parking lot. Additionally, studies have found elevated rates of bladder cancer in areas downwind of the Goodyear plant, raising serious concerns about the public health consequences of the company's emissions.
Another notable source of industrial pollution in Niagara Falls is the Somerset Operating Company's coal-fired power plant, which ranks as one of the state's largest producers of greenhouse gases. While its risk score is relatively low, the cumulative impact of its pollutants, along with those from other industries, poses a significant scientific question that requires further study.
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Abandoned landfills: Toxic chemicals from closed companies
Niagara Falls has a long history of industrial pollution, which has had a significant impact on the surrounding environment. The area was once home to numerous chemical companies, many of which have since closed or moved away, leaving behind a toxic legacy.
One of the most infamous cases is that of Love Canal, a neighbourhood in Niagara Falls, which became the site of an environmental disaster. Love Canal was originally a canal project, which was abandoned in the late 19th century. In the 1920s, the canal became a municipal landfill, with the city of Niagara Falls dumping refuse into it. In the 1940s, the Hooker Chemical Company (now known as Occidental Chemical Corporation or OXY) purchased the canal and began using it as a landfill for chemical waste. Over a period of around 10 years, the company dumped over 21,000 tons of toxic chemicals into the canal, including known carcinogens.
In the 1950s, the city of Niagara Falls constructed sewers and houses on land adjacent to the landfill site. The construction crews breached the canal walls, allowing toxic waste to escape and seep into the nearby homes and school. This resulted in a series of health issues for the residents, with some losing their lives. The disaster was only fully uncovered in the late 1970s, leading to a 21-year Superfund cleanup operation.
Another notable case is that of the Hyde Park landfill, also known as Bloody Run. This site, located near the shore of the Niagara River, contains an estimated 80,000 tons of toxic waste, including 1.6 tons of Dioxin, which is believed to be the largest Dioxin dump in the world. The chemicals have been leaching into the river for years, posing a significant threat to aquatic life. Efforts have been made to stop the seepage, but the impact of decades of pollution is still being felt.
The pollution in Niagara Falls is not limited to abandoned landfills. The area is still home to numerous chemical plants and industrial sites, which continue to release pollutants into the air and water. Goodyear's plant in Niagara Falls, for example, has been known to release ortho-toluidine and aniline emissions, posing potential health risks to residents. While some companies have reduced their emissions over the years, the cumulative impact of the pollution remains a concern.
Recognizing the severity of the pollution problem, various government agencies, such as the EPA and NYSDEC, have implemented cleanup plans and schedules for contaminated sites. Over $1.6 billion has been collected through taxes to fund the cleanup of hazardous waste sites. Additionally, legislation like the 1980 Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act has been enacted to hold polluters financially responsible for the cleanup of their toxic waste sites.
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Military site pollution: PFAS chemicals in the groundwater
PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) are toxic "forever chemicals" that do not break down in the environment and are known to cause adverse health effects in humans. The US military is considered one of the largest PFAS polluters globally, with the chemical being introduced into the environment primarily through the use of firefighting foam during emergencies and training exercises.
The Pentagon has been aware of the toxicity of PFAS-laced firefighting foam since the early 1970s, when studies showed it was toxic to fish. Despite this, the military continues to use it, resulting in the contamination of groundwater and drinking water sources for nearby communities. An internal DOD study in December 2022 revealed that over 175,000 service members across 24 military installations were provided with unsafe water containing PFAS levels above the Environmental Protection Agency's advisory level.
The Defense Department has identified PFAS contamination at 455 military bases, with 275 out of 295 checked bases (approximately 90%) having PFAS plumes near drinking water supplies. The number of affected bases is likely higher, as the DOD has only examined about one-third of the over 700 suspected facilities. PFAS plumes from at least 245 bases are contaminating water for nearby communities, threatening the drinking water of millions of Americans.
The DOD is facing a growing financial challenge in cleaning up these contaminated sites, with the estimated cost of remediation soaring to nearly $39 billion. However, their cleanup budget has only increased by $400 million, indicating that many of these toxic sites may not be cleaned up for decades. The DOD is currently in the first phase of the cleanup process, conducting preliminary assessments and site inspections at 712 installations.
The Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit organization, has created an updated map of the military installations with the highest PFAS detects, exceeding 10,000 parts per trillion in drinking water or groundwater. Among the top 20 locations with newly reported PFAS detections, five are in Hawaii, including Pearl Harbor.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the air in Niagara Falls has been found to contain five possible carcinogenic chemicals and more than 30 other pollutants known to trigger health problems. However, the air quality is considered to be "satisfactory" and poses little to no risk.
Niagara Falls has attracted massive hydroelectric projects and an array of chemical plants over the years. The area's hydro-geologic features make it a vulnerable spot for chemical spills. The Niagara River has been affected by toxic waste from abandoned landfills and chemical dumps, with efforts underway to stop the seepage. The Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station has also been identified as a highly polluted site, with PFAS chemicals detected in the groundwater and drinking water.
Yes, the high levels of pollution in Niagara County put residents at a greater risk of developing pollution-related health problems than most Americans. Studies have shown elevated rates of bladder cancer in both workers at industrial plants and residents living nearby.
While there has been some improvement in air quality over the past decade, particularly for certain pollutants, there are still concerns about the lack of action from state and federal officials. The EPA has identified waste sites and developed clean-up schedules, but there are currently no plans to address the pollution at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station.
