Contaminated Sites Database

The contaminated sites database contains the largest global dataset of polluted sites threatening the health of children in 50 countries. Data on over 5,000 toxic hotspots from across low- and middle-income countries is now available to the public at www.contaminatedsites.org along with an API allowing other institutions to ingest and work with the data.

Read the press release: Pure Earth Releases Online API Tool To Broaden Access To Global Database Of Toxic Sites

The data comes from the Toxic Sites Identification Program (TSIP), which  works to locate and assess contaminated sites in low- and middle-income countries and identify those that pose the greatest threat to human health.

Over a decade, the TSIP has assessed over 5,000 toxic hotspots, and trained over 400 investigators worldwide to search for and document polluted sites in their communities.

TSIP is coordinated by Pure Earth (formerly known as Blacksmith Institute) and funded by the European Commission, UNIDO, The World Bank, and others. TSIP-trained investigators assess contaminated sites, undertake environmental sampling and collect health data using a rapid assessment tool called the Initial Site Screening (ISS) protocol. This protocol was developed based on US EPA protocols with the input and advice of experts from US EPA, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and others.

Chemicals and toxic pollutants in the environment affect millions of people each year in low- and middle-income countries. Without proper containment or public health interventions, these pollutants pose long-term problems to both the environment and people living in contaminated communities.