Carbondale Koppers Memorial
Carbondale Koppers Justice Memorial was erected at Attucks Park in Carbondale, Illinois to honor and remember the people who experienced environmental racism through chemical exposure from the nation’s largest wood treatment plant, in operation from 1902-1991. The facility, located one half mile north of this monument, produced railroad ties and utility poles that were used throughout America. Workers were regularly exposed to exploitative conditions and wood treatment chemicals, including creosote and dioxins. Residents and workers were not made aware of the toxicity and no cautionary protection or information was provided until 2004. The sacrifice of the African American community of Northeast Carbondale is still in evidence today through illness and death. The pollution caused by the Koppers’ Tie Plant continues to impact generations of workers, their families, and residents. The contaminated soil and water will never be fully remediated. The fight for justice continues.
Read more about this project and its history by following the links, below:
Carbondale Koppers Justice https://carbondalekoppersjustice.com/
Carbondale Koppers Justice Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/Carbondale-Koppers-Justice-279808677146081
Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Former Koppers Wood Treatment Facility – Carbondale, Illinois https://www.epa.gov/hwcorrectiveactionsites/hazardous-waste-cleanup-former-koppers-wood-treatment-facility-carbondale