Toxic exposure & cumulative burden
PFAS contamination sites, lead-exposure testing, and EJScreen environmental-justice indices — the cumulative-exposure story for Delaware communities. Sources: State EPA PFAS Inventory, MDHHS testing data, and the EPA EJScreen environmental-justice mapping tool.
Delaware PFAS Sites
Source: EPA PFAS Analytic Tools · state environmental agency · live via /api/pfas
Locations of confirmed PFAS ("forever chemical") contamination sites across Delaware.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a family of ~12,000 man-made chemicals nicknamed "forever chemicals" because they don't break down in the environment or the human body. The EPA set the first federal enforceable drinking-water limits in 2024. States track confirmed contamination sites — many from military bases, industrial sites, and firefighting foam.
- If you're on a private well within a few miles of a known PFAS site, ask your state environmental agency about free well testing.
- Boiling water does NOT remove PFAS — use a certified reverse osmosis or activated-carbon filter rated for PFAS.
- Check your annual Consumer Confidence Report from your water utility — federal MCLs for PFOA/PFOS are 4 ng/L (2024).
- Health effects with long exposure: thyroid, liver, immune-system, and some cancers — talk to your doctor if you're concerned.
Delaware Childhood Blood Lead Testing — MDHHS Surveillance
Source: State Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) · CDC
Delaware blood-lead surveillance data by county — testing rates, elevated levels, and free testing locations. Lead poisoning prevention resources.
Federal law (Medicaid EPSDT) requires every Medicaid-enrolled child to be tested for blood lead at ages 12 and 24 months, and any child with risk factors (older housing, recent immigration) at any age. The CDC blood-lead reference value is 3.5 µg/dL — children above that level get follow-up care. States run Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Programs (CLPPP) that surveil and respond at the county level; CDC aggregates the data nationally.
- Free blood-lead test for any child under 6: call your county health department or your Medicaid plan.
- If you live in a home built before 1978, assume lead paint may be present — wet-wipe windowsills weekly, use a HEPA vacuum.
- Have your home tested: HUD's lead-safe directory has certified inspectors in every state.
- If your child has an elevated level: your county CLPPP coordinator manages follow-up and home assessments.
Delaware Environmental Health Burden — CDC PLACES County Index
Source: CDC PLACES (Population Level Analysis and Community Estimates) · live via /api/places
Census-tract environmental health and chronic disease burden across Delaware from CDC PLACES. Asthma, COPD, cancer, cardiovascular, and air-quality impact.
CDC PLACES is the first national project to map chronic disease rates, health behaviors, and prevention measures at the census-tract level. It shows where asthma, COPD, cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease are concentrated — often overlapping with industrial corridors, freeway-adjacent neighborhoods, and historic redlining areas.
- Find your census tract's health profile at https://www.cdc.gov/places/
- If you live in a high-asthma area, ask your doctor about an asthma action plan; many states fund home-visit programs through their Medicaid agency.
- EPA EJScreen maps cumulative environmental risk on top of this data: https://www.epa.gov/ejscreen
- For indoor air-quality help, your county or city health department may offer free home assessments — check their website.