Regional Priorities Regional Priorities Contents Reducing Toxicants, Especially Mercury Redeveloping Brownfields Ensuring Environmental Justice Cleaning up Sediments Attaining the Air Quality Standard for Ozone Protecting and Restoring Critical Ecosystems Reducing Toxicants, Especially Mercury Problem Releases of toxic substances have had serious adverse effects on humans and the environment. Mercury and PCB levels threaten wildlife and make fish consumption advisories necessary.
Lead poisoning is widespread among children.
Toxaphene and endocrine disrupters are of great concern, but their exposure levels, effects, sources, and transport are not clearly understood. Agencies have focused on investigating and reducing releases of toxic substances, but most often independently and in single-medium contexts. We must assure that our toxicant reduction efforts reflect a multimedia perspective and that they are as coherent and effective as possible. Goal The goal of Region 5 is the virtual elimination of toxicants. Redeveloping Brownfields Problem Contaminated or abandoned-underutilized urban sites seriously damage the integrity of communities as a result of Brownfields' pervasive socioeconomic, health, and environmental impacts.