Hurricane Helene, which struck the southeastern United States in late September, has sparked urgent concerns. Some of these concerns center around environmental and health risks caused by toxic chemicals released from industrial facilities submerged by floodwaters. The flooding heightens threats to drinking water, soil quality, and public health, as highlighted by Rice University researchers.
Though these researchers focus on climate change and social "equality" narratives, the dangers posed by submerged industrial sites should not be ignored. The federal government’s inefficiency in handling environmental disasters highlights the real dangers of toxic chemicals being released into communities. Despite the political framing, the critical issue remains the vulnerability of U.S. infrastructure. This should be a call to action for local communities to build resilience and take proactive steps in disaster preparedness, and not rely on government intervention. The lessons of Helene emphasize that communities must take responsibility now to protect themselves from future disasters.
Hurricane Helene swept across hundreds of industrial sites that store toxic pollutants. These sites include paper mills, fertilizer factories, and oil and gas storage facilities. According to a recent report by Rice University researchers, these facilities pose significant risks to nearby communities. Many of these sites store hazardous chemicals, like lead and spent nuclear fuel. Yet officials often obscure the details of these risks.
JBS Member or ShopJBS.org Customer?
Sign in with your ShopJBS.org account username and password or use that login to subscribe.
- 24 Issues Per Year
- Digital Edition Access
- Exclusive Subscriber Content
- Audio provided for all articles
- Unlimited access to past issues
- Cancel anytime.
- Renews automatically
- 24 Issues Per Year
- Print edition delivery (USA)
*Available Outside USA - Digital Edition Access
- Exclusive Subscriber Content
- Audio provided for all articles
- Unlimited access to past issues
- Cancel anytime.
- Renews automatically