According to a 2017 report by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), America is home to many sites contaminated by toxic materials linked to mining and industrial interests. Today, the EPA and affiliated organizations monitor a minimum of 640,000 and as many as 1,319,000 contaminated facilities.
Often, the contamination resulted from the negligent disposal of hazardous materials and/or accidents that caused such materials to be released into the environment.
Soil contamination can be a threat to human health and environmental quality. Contamination can endanger people on the site and those living around the site.
Harmful chemicals left in the soil can make their way into the groundwater, including water used for animal and human consumption. In dry conditions, contaminated soil can be carried beyond the original site by the wind. Remediation of contaminated sites can protect public health by preventing the spread of toxic materials throughout the communities near the sites.