01/28/2025
By Katie Daly

The Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI), an independent government agency dedicated to protecting people and the environment from hazardous chemicals and pollution, announces the release of its 2025 Environmental Justice Report. “Environmental Justice Through Toxics Use Reduction: Opportunities in Massachusetts” examines the use and release of toxic substances across the Commonwealth through an environmental justice lens.

About 21% of residents in Massachusetts live in Environmental Justice Neighborhoods. The report adopts a municipality-by-municipality approach to examine the use, release, and shipment of toxic substances across different municipalities. It pays particular attention to communities where certain chemicals of concern are used, such as those associated with cancer and asthma, and the class of so-called “forever chemicals” (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS).

“Our analysis indicates that, over the past decade, municipalities with larger populations in Environmental Justice neighborhoods have consistently recorded higher average usage and release of carcinogens,” said TURI Policy Analyst Colin Hannahan. “Furthermore, several facilities responsible for significant toxic emissions are located within these communities, raising the risk of both chronic and acute health effects for residents exposed to these hazardous substances.”

The report emphasizes that Toxics Use Reduction is a best practice for advancing the pursuit of environmental justice for all. Baskut Tuncak, the Executive Director of TURI, underscores the importance of TURI’s strategy to guarantee that every individual and community has the right to live, work, and play in a healthy environment. “The approach we adopt at TURI is a crucial element of the preventive side of environmental justice,” said Tuncak. “By focusing on reducing the use of toxic substances across different industries, our strategy not only protects the environment but also promotes the well-being of the most vulnerable and susceptible members of our communities.”

The comprehensive report utilizes data from the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) to provide valuable insights that assist government agencies, businesses, and communities in identifying opportunities to promote environmental justice by reducing the use of toxic substances. “This report is a great example of how the TURA database can be used to identify opportunities for Toxics Use Reduction, with a focus on environmental justice communities,” said TURA Program Manager Heather Tenney. “The TURAdata website is a great “Right -to-Know” tool to help members of the community learn about toxics used, released or moving through their community.”

Key Findings from the 2025 Environmental Justice Report:

  • From 2007 to 2020, the average use of Toxics per municipality was greatest in those with 75% or more of their population living in EJ Neighborhoods.
  • Toxics Use Reduction efforts have had a significant impact on reducing the releases of Toxics in Massachusetts, including in those municipalities with 75% or more of the population living in EJ neighborhoods. However, the average release of Toxics per municipality was still highest in this group, especially from 2007 to 2017.
  • In 2020, the average use and release of Toxics, number of TURA facilities and the quantity of chemicals shipped were all highest for the group of municipalities with 75% or more of the population living in EJ Neighborhoods. This suggests that those living in EJ Neighborhoods may continue to face comparatively greater risk of negative health outcomes due to Toxics use and release.
  • The average use and release of TURA Higher Hazard Substances (e.g. carcinogens) per municipality, both historically since 2007 and in 2020, is greater in the municipality groups with more of the population living in an EJ Neighborhood. Several facilities that release significant amounts of these Toxics are in EJ Neighborhoods. Individuals in these communities may be at greater risk of developing associated chronic and acute health effects that can result from exposure to these Toxics.
  • A preliminary analysis found that communities with high densities of EJ neighborhoods were above state averages for several environmental burden indicators (e.g., lead paint risk and exposure to air pollution). This, combined with barriers that impede at-risk groups from organizing for increased protection from the use and release of Toxics, suggests that these communities are more susceptible to negative health outcomes due to Toxics exposure.
  • Asthma rates are comparatively higher in many municipalities with significant environmental justice populations, and among lower-income and African American populations statewide. Also, among municipalities with the highest percentage of the population living in an EJ Neighborhood, there is presently and historically a higher per municipality average use and release of Toxics linked to asthma.
  • PFAS testing data at the time of this report’s release does not show greater PFAS concentrations in the drinking water of municipalities with higher proportions of their population living in EJ Neighborhoods. However, two facilities that reported PFAS releases under TURA are located within or close to EJ Neighborhoods.

TURI, in collaboration with its partner agencies—the Massachusetts Office of Technical Assistance (OTA) and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)—is a vital resource for businesses and communities seeking to advance environmental justice. Through these partnerships, TURI works diligently to ensure equal protection from toxic exposures for all.

For more information, please visit the TURI website.

About TURI:

Established in 1989 by the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Act, the TURI is an independent governmental agency whose mission is to develop and facilitate the adoption of safer solutions to the use of toxic chemicals. TURI envisions a world where reducing the use of Toxics has created healthier, more equitable communities and thriving ecosystems. Over the past 35 years, TURI has reduced the use and release of Toxics in Massachusetts by 75 percent and 91 percent, respectively. Learn more at www.turi.org