“Cleaning up poisonous chemicals is the investment we make for our children's children.”

- Jackie Medcalf, THEA Founder and CEO

Communities shouldn’t be blindsided by abandoned toxic waste. We focus on environmental health literacy, informing people of the risks they may face and the ways to protect themselves and their families. 

Environmental contamination leaves nearby communities feeling helpless, victimized, and frightened. THEA’s expertise on the complex Superfund process and relentless focus on the details empowers residents to stand up for their rights and their health.

Our Challenge

Most of the Superfund Cleanup Sites in Texas are right here in the Houston area. New research shows climate change and increased local flooding could expose our neighborhoods to chemical waste from those existing sites and thousands of abandoned industrial sites.

What makes the Houston area stand out is how many people live close to old industrial sites that may contain toxic chemicals. Neighborhoods in every income level may be exposed.

Our Coalitions Are The Key

THEA builds coalitions of people who are most impacted by toxic waste near their homes. By giving our coalition members the facts and technical assistance, we help them hold polluters and government agencies accountable.

Learn more about our San Jacinto, Cypress Community and Northeast Houston Coalitions.

A Tale Of Two Superfund Sites

THEA pushes polluters and government agencies to keep Superfund Site cleanups on track and here’s how we know our approach works. 

The Superfund Site at Deer Park’s Patrick Bayou was placed on the EPA’s National Priority List in 2002. The cleanup is stuck in limbo. There isn’t even a remediation plan yet.

Less than 10 miles away, the San Jacinto River Waste Pits Superfund Site in Houston was added to the EPA’s priority list in 2008.
Cleanup started in 2022.

The difference? THEA and the San Jacinto communities have been putting steady pressure on the EPA and the companies responsible to clean up the contamination at the San Jacinto River Site.

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