Racial and ethnic disparities in health risk from industrial surface water pollution in the United States, 2011–2021

Industrial chemical pollution is released into surface water at a large scale annually in the United States. However, geographic variation and racial disparities in potential exposure are poorly understood at a national scale. Using county-level Risk-Screening Environmental Indicators data for 2011–2021 and American Community Survey data, this study analyzes the spatial and temporal distribution of health risk from modeled water releases using a Gamma hurdle model. Several racial disparities in presence of risk and amount of risk were identified, particular for Black or African American and Asian populations. At least 200 million U.S. residents live in a county where health risk from this pollution is present. Exposure reduction in high-risk areas may improve health for the broader population while also reducing inequities. •Since 2011, >2 billion pounds of industrial chemical pollution have been introduced to surface water in the U.S.•Potential health risk from industrial surface water pollution decreased from 2011 to 2017, but increased from 2018 to 2021.•200 million people in the U.S. lived in a county with potential exposure to industrial surface water pollution.•Greater % Black or African American population is associated with 45% higher odds of having risk and 18% higher health risk.