So You Want to Move to Indy

A Project of Indiana Alliance for Democracy

Health/Safety and Environment Background:  Indianapolis has some of the dirtiest air in the nation.  Our waterways are polluted with over 7 billion gallons of untreated sewage every year. The privatized drinking water tastes “like a wet dog smells” (according to one respondent in contractor’s own confidential survey). A recent study by Men’s Health gives our tap water an “F” and ranks Indy 99th of 100 cities overall in water quality. Indy ranks near the bottom in livability for women and continues to downsize the mental health system.  To feed the polluting garbage incinerator, the City has one of the lowest recycling rates in the nation.  With only a few miles of dedicated bike paths and a shortage of sidewalks Indy is the 4th “Fattest City”.  

More Headlines Scream! 

(from The Indianapolis Star unless otherwise noted) 

>“Region must clean up its polluted act: Take a deep breath-The air’s bad say the feds.  What’s worse: the Indianapolis region harbors one of the largest concentrations of septic tanks of any major U.S. city…”, Neal Peirce, 11/15/96

>“Living in Indy may be unhealthy for women”, Abe Aamidor, 11/13/03

Þ Self magazine rates Indy 197^th out of 200 cities for women’s health. Up from 199^th in previous year

>“Magazine: Indy ranks in bottom third for men’s health: City places 74^th in list of 101 U.S. locations  www.theindychannel.com  10/14/03

>“Residents confronted with air of indifference: Officials have done little to assess health concerns”, Tammy Webber, 2/23/04

Þ In 1982 state health commissioner proposed action against Reilly Chemical Co. for a spill.  Despite long history of spills, Lt. Gov. John Mutz successfully urged against action saying, “Prosecution might discourage other industries from locating in Indiana” 

Þ Despite ranking near the top in emissions of cancer-causing pollutants, Indiana has only 9 monitors and companies are relied on to submit estimates

> “Metro area near top in pollution from autos:  Indianapolis ranks 5^th in group’s study…” Maureen Groppe 3/10/04

Þ America Lung Association has given Marion County an “F” for air quality since 1996

>“Hazardous haze worse this year,” Tammy Webber 10/2/05

Þ Air quality in central Indiana took a turn for the worse this summer