Dangerous living

containing hazardous waste – have a lower life expectancy, according to researchers from the University of Houston. Census data from 2018 revealed the median life expectancy nationwide to be 78.5 years. This went up to 78.7 in areas with no superfund sites, and down to 77.5 in areas with at least one superfund site. As of June 2019, there were 1,344 superfund sites on the National Priorities List in the US. Sociodemographic factors were also recognised; populations living near hazardous waste may already be more vulnerable to contaminant exposure due to higher levels of deprivation.