How Philly is Cleaning One of its Most Hazardous Sites episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 30, 2026 · 29 MIN

How Philly is Cleaning One of its Most Hazardous Sites

from City Cast Philly · host City Cast

For residents of Port Richmond in the Northeast, the Franklin Slag Pile is a familiar sight. It's a huge black mound at the corner of Castor and Delaware Avenues, covered in a tarp, fenced off behind chain link. The pile may not look like much, but the Environmental Protection Agency has deemed it one of the most hazardous sites in Philadelphia. Now, more than 20 years after declaring the Franklin Slag Pile a Superfund site, the EPA says it's going to start cleanup in the coming months. Reporter Jordan Gass-Poore joins senior producer Abby Fritz to talk about why this effort has taken so long and how climate change is making toxic sites in Philadelphia even more dangerous. Read Jordan’s full report about the Franklin Slag Pile here.  Our newsletter has Philly news & events in your inbox every weekday morning. Call or text us: 215-259-8170 Instagram: @citycastphilly Support our show and get great perks as a City Cast Philly Neighbor: membership.citycast.fm Advertise on the podcast or in the newsletter: citycast.fm/advertise

For residents of Port Richmond in the Northeast, the Franklin Slag Pile is a familiar sight. It's a huge black mound at the corner of Castor and Delaware Avenues, covered in a tarp, fenced off behind chain link. The pile may not look like much, but the Environmental Protection Agency has deemed it one of the most hazardous sites in Philadelphia. Now, more than 20 years after declaring the Franklin Slag Pile a Superfund site, the EPA says it's going to start cleanup in the coming months. Reporter Jordan Gass-Poore joins senior producer Abby Fritz to talk about why this effort has taken so long and how climate change is making toxic sites in Philadelphia even more dangerous. Read Jordan’s full report about the Franklin Slag Pile here.  Our newsletter has Philly news & events in your inbox every weekday morning. Call or text us: 215-259-8170 Instagram: @citycastphilly Support our show and get great perks as a City Cast Philly Neighbor: membership.citycast.fm Advertise on the podcast or in the newsletter: citycast.fm/advertise

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How Philly is Cleaning One of its Most Hazardous Sites

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This episode was published on March 30, 2026.

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For residents of Port Richmond in the Northeast, the Franklin Slag Pile is a familiar sight. It's a huge black mound at the corner of Castor and Delaware Avenues, covered in a tarp, fenced off behind chain link. The pile may not look like much, but...

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