29 Most Toxic Places On Earth

Like & Follow Us On Facebook!

Whittier, California

Source: https://www.whittierdailynews.com/

The Omega Chemical Corporation in Whittier recycled refrigerant and other organic solvents through reformulation and oil separation treatments. Disturbingly, the company received tons of hazardous chemicals from other companies and allowed volatile compounds like Freon to contaminate the groundwater and soil. This became a serious problem for the farming town famous for planting oats, barley, fruits, and vegetables. Freon is a tasteless and mostly odorless gas, but if deeply inhaled, it can cause respiratory problems and damage vital organs, burning the esophagus and irritating the lungs and the stomach. When Freon comes in contact with the body, it can cause necrotic skin lesions and damaged tissue. In 1995, 3,000 drums of toxic waste and empty chemical drums were removed from Whittier, but the soil and groundwater were still contaminated and numerous wells in surrounding cities were shut down. As of 2018, over 12,500 pounds of pollutants have been removed from the city.