Assessing community vulnerability to extreme events in the presence of contaminated sites and waste management facilities: An indicator approach
Communities across the United States are enduring, often unexpectedly, the effects of extreme events, such as excessive heat, prolonged droughts, extreme floods, and wildfires. In places where contaminated sites and waste management facilities are also present, communities must consider the risks and impacts of potential releases from these sites due to such events. Impacts of extreme events on sites and consequently on surrounding communities result from complex interactions between natural, physical, and social factors. A conceptual framework was developed to identify and provide a shared understanding of key vulnerabilities and pathways that transcend disciplines. Indicators and maps were developed to represent these key vulnerabilities and pathways including contaminated sites, and waste facilities;, contaminant transport via air, and water, and a range of population sensitivities. This transparent and replicable screening method is based on publicly available data and can be used to identify the most vulnerable U.S. Census Block Groups. The method was developed in close collaboration with city, state and region partners on case studies in Maricopa County, Arizona and the City of Waterbury, Connecticut. Regional, state, and local decision makers can use such assessment results to develop and prioritize targeted mitigation, adaptation, and response strategies to prevent adverse health and environmental impacts of disaster-induced contaminant releases.
Communities across the world are facing extreme events, such as excessive heat, droughts, floods, and wildfires. In the presence of contaminated sites and waste management facilities, communities must consider the impacts of potential releases from these sites due to such events. Impacts of extreme events on sites and consequently on surrounding, often disadvantaged communities result from complex interactions between natural, physical, and social factors. A conceptual framework was developed to identify and provide a shared understanding of key vulnerabilities and pathways that transcend disciplines. A transparent and replicable method was developed to create mappable indicators that represent contaminated sites, waste facilities, contaminant transport via air and water, and population sensitivities. This method can be applied as a screening step to assist states and local communities in prioritizing targeted strategies and resources and determining where in-depth assessments are needed. These indicators can facilitate communication with a broad audience more easily than complex modeling approaches or aggregated indices. Case study results demonstrate the importance of considering indicators in conjunction with each other. The indicator method was developed together with U.S.-based partners, but can be adapted for other countries seeking to understand the potential impacts of extreme events on contaminated sites and communities.
Communities across the world are facing extreme events, such as excessive heat, droughts, floods, and wildfires. In the presence of contaminated sites and waste management facilities, communities must consider the impacts of potential releases from these sites due to such events. Impacts of extreme events on sites and consequently on surrounding, often disadvantaged communities result from complex interactions between natural, physical, and social factors. A conceptual framework was developed to identify and provide a shared understanding of key vulnerabilities and pathways that transcend disciplines. A transparent and replicable method was developed to create mappable indicators that represent contaminated sites, waste facilities, contaminant transport via air and water, and population sensitivities. This method can be applied as a screening step to assist states and local communities in prioritizing targeted strategies and resources and determining where in-depth assessments are needed. These indicators can facilitate communication with a broad audience more easily than complex modeling approaches or aggregated indices. Case study results demonstrate the importance of considering indicators in conjunction with each other. The indicator method was developed together with U.S.-based partners, but can be adapted for other countries seeking to understand the potential impacts of extreme events on contaminated sites and communities.