Pollution concerns linger years after Philadelphia refinery closes

The closure of Philadelphia's Energy Solutions refinery in 2019 did not end pollution issues for nearby communities, as industrial facilities and redevelopment projects continue to raise environmental concerns.

Jon Hurdle reports for Inside Climate News.

In short:

South and Southwest Philadelphia remain impacted by industrial pollution, including a proposed natural gas storage plant and benzene contamination at nearby facilities.
The refinery site is being redeveloped into a logistics center, potentially increasing vehicular emissions despite cleanup efforts and plans for solar energy and electric vehicles.
Advocates call for thorough removal of contaminants, warning against capping methods that could worsen groundwater pollution.

Key quote:

“The ground is so toxic they can’t grow anything, and it’s not been cleaned. I’m talking about removing all the toxic waste, and shipping it out in a safe and humane manner. That’s at least a 10-year job.”

— Mark Clincy, Philly Thrive board member

Why this matters:

Decades of industrial pollution in South Philadelphia have left a legacy of environmental injustice, with disproportionate health impacts on poor, predominantly Black communities. As redevelopment plans move forward, community advocates are keen to ensure that new projects do not perpetuate harm.

insideclimatenews.org

Photo by Ella Ivanescu on Unsplash

Leading cardiology societies call for stronger protections against environmental hazards

Four international cardiology societies — the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology, the European Society of Cardiology, and the World Heart Federation — issued a joint statement urging for regulatory action to address the role of toxic environmental exposures in cardiovascular disease.

In short:

Growing evidence shows environmental exposures — including air pollution, chemical pollution, plastics, climate change, and artificial noise and light — may be contributing significantly to the rise in cardiovascular disease.
Of these hazards, air pollution poses the greatest risk, likely by causing inflammation in the lungs and throughout the circulatory system.
The multiple hazards associated with climate change like extreme heat and wildfires may also threaten cardiovascular health via dehydration, arrhythmia, and severe coronary events (such as heart attacks).

Key quote:

"A unified voice was needed to state clearly that the science is settled—and that continued inaction reflects political and structural inertia rather than scientific uncertainty.”

- Lead study author Dr. Thomas Münzel, via JAMA Medical News

Why this matters:

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, contributing to roughly 44% of deaths from noncommunicable diseases. When speaking with JAMA Medical News, lead author Dr. Münzel contributed at least 1 in 5 of the 20 million annual global cardiovascular disease deaths to environmental hazards. The authors of this statement call on both policymakers and clinicians to address environmental exposures “with the same seriousness as traditional cardiovascular risks,” fully integrating them into regulations and patient care.

Related EHN coverage:

More resources:

American Heart Association: Environmental exposures and pediatric cardiology

Münzel, T. et al. (2026). Environmental Stressors and Cardiovascular Health: Acting Locally for Global Impact in a Changing World: A Statement of the European Society of Cardiology, the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association, and the World Heart Federation. Circulation

Anderer, S. (2026). Cardiology Societies Urge Action on Environmental Risk Factors. JAMA Medical News

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