Mapping toxin exposure risk due to children's play: a case study

During the 1920's and 1930's, a Niagara County, New York residential community, Belden Center, developed in tandem with two adjacent toxic waste disposal sites. During the period that they were in use, both sites were classified as public health hazards. Particularly between 1944 and 1979, as toxins were deposited, neighborhood children swam and played throughout the industrial waste sites. By reference to a large-scale map of the dumps, present residents described locations and types of play during their childhood. Assuming that a child would play away from home between 8 and 19 years of age, this allowed identification of cohorts that used the sites during different periods. An outcome map showing sites, dates, and types of play is the primary product of this investigation. More boys than girls played in the dumpsites, and we identified a subsample that did not use them for play. We conclude that children's play should be considered a major source of risk where communities lie next to toxic waste sites.