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The United Steelworkers Local 7-1 picket on Indianapolis Boulevard, which runs alongside BP's Whiting Refinery. Despite bitter February and March temperatures, the union has demonstrated for more than a month outside of the refinery, calling for safer working conditions, including shorter shifts with breaks. Refinery employees complained of exhausting 24-hour shifts and voiced concern over the under-trained contractors who have replaced them during the strike.

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American industry disproportionately affects the health of minority and low-income communities. East Chicago, Ind. — once the country’s “most industrialized municipality” — offers a view of environmental injustices emerging throughout the Rust Belt. 

Nearly 80 percent of the city’s 11 square miles is zoned for heavy industry. Toxic levels of lead, arsenic and other pollutants contaminate water, soil and air. 

In July 2016, nearly 1,200 people in the West Calumet neighborhood learned that children had blood-lead levels six times the Center for Disease Control’s recommendation for intervention. As mandated, residents began to move, but some remain as they struggle to find housing in the city of 29,000. 

“We feel like we're just being thrown out,” Nayesa Walker said. Her 3-year-old daughter’s blood tested high for lead. 

In a letter to residents, East Chicago Mayor Anthony Copeland wrote, “your health and safety are my first priority,” but many say they cannot trust the government for basic services. Recently, the Environmental Protection Agency announced some of the city’s drinking water also contains high levels of lead, prompting Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb to declare a disaster emergency for the Superfund site just south of West Calumet. 

Two miles north, the century-old Marktown neighborhood is vanishing. British Petroleum is buying and demolishing the homes surrounding its oil refinery. 

"How much money will replace 56 years' worth of memories?" life-long resident Ki

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Alyssa Schukar
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Life and Industry
The United Steelworkers Local 7-1 picket on Indianapolis Boulevard, which runs alongside BP's Whiting Refinery. Despite bitter February and March temperatures, the union has demonstrated for more than a month outside of the refinery, calling for safer working conditions, including shorter shifts with breaks. Refinery employees complained of exhausting 24-hour shifts and voiced concern over the under-trained contractors who have replaced them during the strike.<br /> <br /> --<br /> <br /> American industry disproportionately affects the health of minority and low-income communities. East Chicago, Ind. — once the country’s “most industrialized municipality” — offers a view of environmental injustices emerging throughout the Rust Belt. <br /> <br /> Nearly 80 percent of the city’s 11 square miles is zoned for heavy industry. Toxic levels of lead, arsenic and other pollutants contaminate water, soil and air. <br /> <br /> In July 2016, nearly 1,200 people in the West Calumet neighborhood learned that children had blood-lead levels six times the Center for Disease Control’s recommendation for intervention. As mandated, residents began to move, but some remain as they struggle to find housing in the city of 29,000. <br /> <br /> “We feel like we're just being thrown out,” Nayesa Walker said. Her 3-year-old daughter’s blood tested high for lead. <br /> <br /> In a letter to residents, East Chicago Mayor Anthony Copeland wrote, “your health and safety are my first priority,” but many say they cannot trust the government for basic services. Recently, the Environmental Protection Agency announced some of the city’s drinking water also contains high levels of lead, prompting Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb to declare a disaster emergency for the Superfund site just south of West Calumet. <br /> <br /> Two miles north, the century-old Marktown neighborhood is vanishing. British Petroleum is buying and demolishing the homes surrounding its oil refinery. <br /> <br /> "How much money will replace 56 years' worth of memories?" life-long resident Ki
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