Environmental Justice Tracker

EJ Tracker Update

EPA OIG Found Agency Did Not Consistently Communicate Human Health Risks at Sites Being Addressed by OLEM

Last updated:

September 15, 2021

Statute

RCRA

Agencies

EPA

Actions

Report

EPA’s Office of Inspector General released a report finding that “EPA did not consistently communicate human health risks at select sites being addressed by the Office of Land and Emergency Management”(OLEM)  and did not adhere to risk communication guidance. By not disclosing the risks, impacted communities could not decide how to manage their risk exposure to harmful contaminants. The Inspector General found that OLEM struggled to meet the existing guidelines due to a lack of specific guidance on best practices for addressing environmental justice concerns, timeliness, and coordination.