A new study out of UCLA identified 5,500 coastal toxic sites in the United States that are at risk of flooding due to sea level rise.
“That includes over 1/5 of coastal sewage treatment plants, refineries, and formerly used defense sites, about a third of fossil fuel and nuclear power plants that are on the coast, and over 40% of coastal fossil fuel ports and terminals.” Lara Cushing, a UCLA professor who co-authored the study, told KNX News’ Emily Valdez.
She also said there were over 50 sites in L.A. County that “report to something called a toxic release inventory.”
“So they emit a certain amount of hazardous substances in a normal year,” Cushing said, adding that the toxic floodwaters would impact residents in low-income areas.
Want to get caught up on what's happening in SoCal every weekday afternoon? Click to follow The L.A. Local wherever you get podcasts.
She also said coastal flooding is expected to more than double within the next 25 years.
Follow KNX News 97.1 FM
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok