If heat-trapping pollution from burning coal, oil and gas continues unchecked, thousands of hazardous sites across the United States risk being flooded from sea level rise by the turn of the century, posing serious health risks to nearby communities, according to a new study. Researchers identified 5,500 sites that store, emit or handle sewage, trash, oil, gas and other hazards that could face coastal flooding by 2100, with much of the risk already locked in due to past emissions. But more than half the sites are projected to face flood risk much sooner — as soon as 2050. … Most of the sites — nearly 80% — are in Louisiana, Florida, New Jersey, Texas, California, New York and Massachusetts.

Related articles:

• Inside Climate News: As seas rise, so do the risks from toxic sites
• E&E News by Politico: Rising seas threaten thousands of hazardous US facilities
• Nature: Sea level rise and flooding of hazardous sites in marginalized communities across the United States
• ABC News: Thousands of toxic sites in US at risk of flooding in coming decades due to sea level rise: Study
• The Guardian (U.K.): Thousands of toxic sites across US face risk of coastal flooding