Assessing Community Vulnerabilities to Potential Contaminant Releases from Extreme Events

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Extreme events (e.g., excessive heat, droughts, floods, wildfires) are projected to be more frequent and intense under future climate scenarios. During extreme events, contaminated sites and waste management facilities have the potential to release contaminants and impact nearby communities. Understanding the risks to communities from potential exposures to water- and airborne contaminants underlies preparedness, emergency response, and mitigation planning. To better understand and communicate what is known and unknown about such risks, EPA ORD developed indicators of environmental, public health, socioeconomic, or other conditions to assess community vulnerabilities to potential contaminant releases from extreme events. The Handbook on Indicators of Community Vulnerability to Extreme Events: Considering Sites and Waste Management Facilities provides the conceptual framework and indicators approach. Join the webinar to learn more about the handbook and how to use the approach.