Helena Joyce
New Jersey has a pollution problem. In 2018, the state's air pollution was deemed dangerous to health, with North Jersey and New York City ranking as the 10th worst metropolitan area in the US for ozone levels. The state also has over 150 Superfund sites—more than any other state—which are locations where large amounts of toxic chemicals have been released. New Jersey's water pollution is also a cause for concern, with only 5% of its river miles and 3% of its lake, bay, and harbor areas being safe for drinking, recreation, aquatic life, and fish consumption. The state's pollution problem disproportionately affects low-income people and people of colour, who are more likely to reside in highly polluted regions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air pollution | Among the most polluted in the nation, with high levels of smog and ozone. |
| Water pollution | New Jersey has some of the most polluted water in the country, with only 5% of river miles and 3% of lake, bay, and harbor areas safe for drinking, recreation, and aquatic life. |
| Soil pollution | Chemical contaminants in soil can make crops unsafe to eat. |
| Health impacts | Air and water pollution are linked to respiratory issues, cancer, kidney damage, reproductive health problems, heart disease, developmental disorders, and lead poisoning. |
| Sources of pollution | Point source pollution (large polluters) and nonpoint source pollution (multiple small sources). |
| Superfund sites | Over 150 sites identified by the EPA for toxic chemical release, more than any other state. |
| Climate change impacts | Greenhouse gas pollution contributes to more frequent and severe heat waves and floods. |
| Vulnerable communities | Communities of color and low-income areas are more exposed to pollution and its harmful effects. |
| Government initiatives | Gov. Phil Murphy signed a law to empower communities to block projects that contribute to air pollution. |
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What You'll Learn
New Jersey's air quality is among the worst in the US
New Jersey has a serious air pollution problem, with a large portion of the state receiving failing grades for smog and ozone levels, according to a 2018 report by the American Lung Association. North Jersey and New York City ranked as the 10th worst metropolitan area in the US for ozone levels, which can trigger asthma attacks in the estimated 735,000 state residents with the disease. The report also noted that much of the Jersey Shore and the South Jersey counties outside Philadelphia received failing grades over a three-year period from 2014 to 2016.
While there has been a marked improvement in air quality in areas throughout New Jersey, the state has never met the federal health-quality standard for ozone, one of the most harmful and widespread types of air pollution. In 2022, six counties (Bergen, Camden, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, and Ocean) continued to post failing grades. Particle pollution levels in the state were generally very good, with only Essex County worsening.
Air pollution in New Jersey is caused by various human activities, such as industrial emissions, power plants, transportation, and natural sources. The state has over 150 Superfund sites, more than any other state, which are locations with large amounts of toxic chemical releases that can contaminate the environment for decades. While many of these sites have been cleaned up, they still require monitoring.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) is responsible for ensuring the state's air quality and manages it through ambient air monitoring, emission reduction plans, rules, permits, and enforcement. Despite these efforts, air pollution in New Jersey continues to pose a significant challenge, with potential health risks for residents.
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Water pollution is a major issue
Water pollution in New Jersey has severe consequences for both the environment and human health. Pollutants in the water can kill fish and harm humans who consume them. In addition, water pollution can have indirect effects on human health. For example, chemical contaminants in soil can make crops grown in that soil unsafe to eat. Climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions is also intensifying the frequency and severity of heat waves and floods in New Jersey, further exacerbating the impacts of water pollution.
New Jersey's water pollution problem is largely driven by nonpoint source pollution, which refers to multiple small sources of pollution that accumulate to create a significant impact. This is in contrast to point source pollution, which involves a large amount of pollution emitted in a single location. While point sources are not the primary cause of New Jersey's water pollution, the state does have over 150 Superfund sites, which are locations with significant toxic chemical releases that require long-term monitoring.
Addressing water pollution in New Jersey is crucial to protecting the health and well-being of its residents. Pollutants in drinking water have been linked to kidney damage, reproductive health issues, and various types of cancer. Furthermore, water pollution disproportionately affects low-income communities and communities of color, who are more likely to reside in highly polluted areas. These communities are also more vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as heat waves and floods, which are intensified by greenhouse gas emissions.
Efforts to mitigate water pollution in New Jersey include the implementation of the state's right-to-know law, which mandates that companies disclose the release of toxic chemicals into the water. Additionally, the state has taken steps to transition from coal to natural gas, leading to a decline in soot pollution. However, more comprehensive actions are needed to address the underlying causes of water pollution and to ensure that all communities have access to clean water and a healthy environment.
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Soil pollution is a concern
Pollution is a significant problem in New Jersey, with the state facing issues related to air, water, and soil pollution. While the state has implemented various measures to address these issues, pollution remains a concern, particularly in certain areas.
Soil pollution is a pressing concern in New Jersey, with far-reaching implications for the environment and public health. Contaminated soil can have detrimental effects on both wildlife and human populations, underscoring the urgency of addressing this issue. Chemical contaminants in the soil can render crops grown in that soil unsafe for consumption, posing risks to human health. Moreover, toxic chemicals released into the environment can persist for decades, contaminating soil and water sources.
New Jersey's industrial legacy has left a significant mark on the state's environment. The state's chemical plants, textile mills, and metal factories played a pivotal role in America's economic development, but they also contributed to the pollution problems that persist today. Byproducts from industrial processes, such as dioxin from the manufacture of Agent Orange, have fouled the Passaic River, leading to toxic fish and crab populations. Additionally, dye and paint companies have illegally dumped waste in landfills, resulting in decades of groundwater pollution in areas like Toms River.
The presence of PFAS compounds, released by the chemical company Solvay, has been detected in the soil and private well water near its plant in West Deptford, New Jersey. These compounds have been found to be toxic to both laboratory animals and humans, and they can remain in the human body for extended periods. The health implications associated with exposure to these compounds include potential links to increased risks of heart disease and impacts on thyroid function.
New Jersey has taken steps to address soil pollution and hold polluters accountable. The state enacted the New Jersey Spill Act of 1976, which mandates that companies take responsibility for cleaning up hazardous waste sites. This legislation served as a model for the federal Superfund program, which identifies and remediates contaminated sites. While progress has been made in cleaning up contaminated sites, challenges remain. New Jersey has nearly 14,000 contamination sites, and ensuring the effective remediation of all these sites is a complex and lengthy process.
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Climate change is worsening heatwaves and floods
New Jersey has a serious pollution problem, with a 2022 report finding that it has some of the most polluted water in the US. Only 5% of its river miles are safe for drinking, recreation, and aquatic life, and only 3% of its lake, bay, and harbor areas are safe for the same uses. The state also has over 150 Superfund sites—more than any other state—which are locations contaminated by toxic chemicals. The pollution in New Jersey is severe enough to cause health issues for residents, including asthma, cancer, and lung disease.
Climate change, caused by greenhouse gas pollution, is worsening heatwaves and floods in New Jersey and worldwide. As global temperatures rise, the atmosphere can hold more moisture, leading to heavier rainfall and more frequent and intense flooding. For instance, flooding in Germany in June 2024 caused fatalities and significant economic damage, and flooding in Valencia in October of the same year killed 230 people. Climate change is also causing shifts in global rainfall patterns, with some regions becoming wetter and more prone to flooding, while others become drier and more susceptible to droughts.
Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change. Heat domes, created when high pressure traps hot air over the same area for extended periods, are made more likely by higher temperatures in the Arctic, which has warmed nearly four times faster than the global average. This affects the jet stream, a band of fast-moving winds in the atmosphere. The increased frequency and intensity of heatwaves have severe impacts on human health, particularly for vulnerable populations. For example, an extreme heatwave in the Sahel region of Africa in 2024 led to increased hospitalizations and deaths, and heatwaves in Europe since 2000 have caused tens of thousands of premature deaths.
The combination of heatwaves and droughts fueled by climate change can create a dangerous mix of hot and dry conditions. In East Africa, five consecutive failed rainy seasons between 2020 and 2022 led to the worst drought in 40 years, displacing 1.2 million people in Somalia alone. Climate change has also been linked to unprecedented droughts in the Amazon rainforest and southern Africa. As drought conditions worsen, water demand increases, particularly from farmers, putting additional stress on water supplies.
To address the worsening impacts of climate change, such as heatwaves and floods, urgent action is needed to reduce carbon emissions and slow down the rate of global warming. Scientists warn that halving greenhouse gas emissions this decade is crucial to avoiding catastrophic warming later in the century.
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Pollution disproportionately affects low-income communities and people of colour
New Jersey has a serious problem with pollution. It has some of the most polluted water in the nation, with only 5% of its river miles and 3% of its lake, bay, and harbor areas being safe for drinking, recreation, aquatic life, and fish consumption. The state also has over 150 Superfund sites, more than any other state, and its air continues to be among the most polluted in the nation.
The burden of this pollution falls disproportionately on low-income communities and people of color. In 2015, the biggest releases of toxins were in Linden and Deepwater, while towns like Irvington, Fords, and Eatontown had far lower levels. People who live in the most polluted parts of New Jersey are more exposed to harmful effects, and these areas tend to be populated by low-income people and people of color. These groups are sometimes referred to as "overburdened communities."
Research has shown that racial and ethnic minorities and lower-income groups in the U.S. are at higher risk of premature death from exposure to PM2.5 air pollution than other population and income groups. A 2016 study of New Jersey residents found that the risk of dying early from long-term exposure to particle pollution was higher in communities with larger African American populations, lower home values, and lower median incomes. Another study found that non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics were more likely to live in counties with worse problems with particle pollution and ozone pollution.
To address these disparities, New Jersey has passed a law to protect overburdened communities from disproportionate levels of environmental pollution. The law requires the state's environmental department to deny permits for certain new polluting facilities, expansions of existing facilities, or place conditions on its approval of permits if they will disproportionately negatively impact overburdened communities. The law defines "overburdened communities" as "any census block group" in which at least 35% of households qualify as low-income, at least 40% of residents identify as minorities, or at least 40% of households have limited English proficiency.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, New Jersey has a serious pollution problem.
Air pollution is a major issue in New Jersey, with the state having some of the lowest air quality in the nation. The state also has issues with water pollution, with only 5% of its river miles being safe for drinking, recreation, aquatic life, and fish consumption.
The biggest individual sources of air pollution in New Jersey are point sources, which emit a lot of pollution in a single location. However, the majority of the state's air pollution comes from nonpoint sources, which are multiple small sources that add up.
Pollution in New Jersey has been linked to a range of health problems for residents, including asthma, lung cancer, heart disease, developmental disorders, and lead poisoning. People living in highly polluted regions tend to be low-income individuals and people of color.
Efforts have been made to improve air quality in New Jersey, such as the retirement of older diesel engines and the closure of coal-fired power plants. The state has also implemented initiatives to buy back old high-emission vehicles and impose new restrictions on diesel truck emissions. Gov. Phil Murphy signed a law giving communities more power to block projects that contribute to air pollution.
