Saunderstown, RI (02874) – Environmental Hazard Report

ZIP: 02874

Saunderstown, Rhode Island

Score: 10/10

Residents in Saunderstown live near Dutch Island, a site with serious environmental risks. The hazard score of 10.0 out of 10 means the danger is critical. Unspecified hazardous substances found nearby can get into the air, soil, or water you use every day. These chemicals might make people sick if they breathe them in or touch contaminated ground. Because four sites sit within five miles, pollution can build up and harm your health and the local environment.

Hazard Data Summary

Hazard Score
10/10
Risk Level
Critical
Primary Contaminant
Unspecified Hazardous Substances
Nearest Superfund Site
DUTCH ISLAND
Distance to Nearest
4.0 mi
Sites Within 5 Miles
4
Sites Within 10 Miles
39
County
Washington
NPL Status
Active

Regulatory Overview

Saunderstown, Rhode Island, carries a critical environmental hazard designation due to severe proximity to active contamination zones. Within a ten-mile radius of the 02874 zip code, thirty-nine hazardous sites operate, including four locations within just five miles. The most prominent federal concern is the Dutch Island Superfund site, located exactly four miles from the community center. Dutch Island is currently listed under an active National Priorities List regulatory status, indicating ongoing Environmental Protection Agency assessment and remediation efforts. The primary contaminants at this facility are classified broadly as unspecified hazardous substances, which necessitate complex environmental mitigation strategies. Exposure to these uncharacterized chemical compounds typically occurs through groundwater migration or soil disturbance, presenting potential risks of respiratory irritation, chronic neurological disruption, and elevated long-term carcinogenic vulnerability for surrounding populations. Additional localized threats include the Rose Hill Landfill and URI Disposal Area, both sitting less than four miles away under active environmental management and monitoring. Given the dense concentration of active landfills and disposal areas nearby, residents must implement strict protective measures against latent exposure. Residents should immediately install certified reverse osmosis water filtration systems at point-of-use taps, particularly if utilizing private wells, to capture migrating chemical leachates. Property owners should also commission independent residential soil testing for heavy metals and volatile organic compounds before planting edible gardens or performing deep property excavations. Finally, households should proactively seal all basement foundation cracks with hydraulic cement to strictly prevent toxic vapor intrusion from migrating subterranean groundwater plumes.

Threat Summary

Residents in Saunderstown live near Dutch Island, a site with serious environmental risks. The hazard score of 10.0 out of 10 means the danger is critical. Unspecified hazardous substances found nearby can get into the air, soil, or water you use every day. These chemicals might make people sick if they breathe them in or touch contaminated ground. Because four sites sit within five miles, pollution can build up and harm your health and the local environment.

Nearby Superfund Sites

Site NameEPA IDDistanceNPL Status
ROSE HILL LANDFILL/TRANSFER STATION1100078268071.16 miActive
URI DISPOSAL AREA1100093101103.52 miActive
DUTCH ISLAND1100137976684 miActive
NORTH KINGSTOWN LANDFILL #11100093221074.97 miActive
NORTH KINGSTOWN LANDFILL #21100093103705.56 miActive
NARGANST DRIVE AREA/LADD CENTER (FORMER)1100711005016.53 miActive
GOULD ISLAND DISPOSAL AREA1100093103987.5 miActive
GOULD ISLAND BUNKER # 111100093448887.55 miActive
DOD/NETC/GOULD ISLAND ELECTROPLATING1100710999777.68 miActive
SEPTAGE DISPOSAL AREA1100093101297.74 miActive

Action Required

Immediate action is necessary due to the critical 10.0 hazard score. Residents should contact the Aquidneck Land Trust to discuss local land conservation and environmental safety efforts in the region. For those concerned about the impact of environmental hazards on their living conditions or seeking relocation assistance, contact the West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation at 401-453-3220. Additionally, the Providence Housing Authority at 401-751-6400 can provide guidance on housing safety standards. Staying informed through these organizations helps protect your family from the cumulative effects of the 39 hazardous sites located within ten miles.

HUD Housing Counseling

Government Verified
West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation
Providence, RI
Providence Housing Authority
Providence, RI

Environmental Organizations

IRS Verified
  • Aquidneck Community TableEnvironmental
  • Aquidneck Land TrustEnvironmental
  • Artists For The EnvironmentEnvironmental

Data Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Superfund Enterprise Management System (SEMS). Facility data from EPA Facility Registry Service (FRS). Nonprofit data from IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File. Housing counseling data from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

This report is generated from publicly available government data and does not constitute legal or medical advice. For current site-specific information, visit EPA Superfund.

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