As Florida recovers from the effects of Hurricane Irma, federal agencies are left wondering how dozens of designated Superfund sites could be at risk for spreading contamination to populated areas throughout the peninsula – particular in South Florida where wind, rain, and flooding were most severe.
“A risk analysis by EPA concluded in 2012 that flooding at such sites in South Florida could pose a risk to public health by spreading contaminated soil and groundwater. Flooding could disturb dangerous pollutants and wash it onto nearby property or contaminate groundwater.”