The Duwamish is not only Seattle’s only river, and the original home of its first Native American people, it is now also an industrial waterway classified as one of the nation’s worst toxic waste sites and one of the few federal Superfund cleanup sites in the country to bisect a major urban area.
Through this project, InvestigateWest's Carol Smith examined how this confluence of factors – location, history and industry – has shaped the health of the communities that have grown up around the river. While reams of data have looked at the health of the river, much less is known about the health of the people who depend on or live near its waters. Smith was a 2010 recipient of the national California Endowment Health Journalism Fellowship from the University of Southern Calfornia's Annenberg School of Journalism. This project was done in conjunction with her fellowship and also appeared in www.seattlepi.com.
Carol, an experienced health journalist, was able to dig deep and find some fascinating public health data to illustrate what living in a Superfund site can do to the people who call it home.
The story you just read is only possible because readers like you support our mission to uncover truths that matter. If you value this reporting, help us continue producing high-impact investigations that drive real-world change. Your donation today ensures we can keep asking tough questions and bringing critical issues to light. Join us — because fearless, independent journalism depends on you!
Providence has accused nurses and other staff of violating patient privacy laws
Get the inside scoop in your inbox, free.
Subscribe to our weekly newsletters and never miss an investigation.
Journalism that sparks change
Our work has inspired new state laws, exposed government failures and impacted local communities in powerful ways. These stories wouldn't be told without InvestigateWest, and we couldn't do it without our generous supporters.
