How Toxic Is Your Block? New Interactive Map Shows Contamination Levels in Greenpoint and Williamsburg

GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN — How polluted is your backyard? A new map produced by activists with Neighbors Allied for Good Growth (NAG) aims to help you visualize the answer to that question.

The Greenpoint-Williamsburg Toxicity Map, funded by a $50,000 grant from the state's Department of Environmental Conservation, took two years to produce. It overlays data from a variety of government sources, allowing users to see where contamination exists in their neighborhood and how it relates to health concerns.

"There's a lot of toxic sites and environmental and health hazards, but there's no way for the community get that data [easily]," said Allison Currier, NAG"s environmental organizer. "We wanted to put it all in one place that was visual and easy for people to understand."

As an example of a health concern visualization makes easy to grasp, Currier selected the map's "waste transfer stations" and "asthma rates" buttons. A clear correlation appeared to present itself, with asthma rates up in areas nearer the stations (and hence subject to greater truck traffic):

Among its other functions, the map allows users to explore flood zones in the area, to see contaminated sites undergoing remediation (or which were remediated), and spot sites that may be polluted.

The data can also be correlated to median household income levels and population density. And you can click on any spill, either greater or less than 100 gallons, to see what was spilled and what has been done about it.

"It's important to us to have this tool to educate and advocate for the community," Currier said.

Pictured at top: the famously polluted Newtown Creek. Image via Google Maps