Infographic
![Redeveloping Brownfield and Land Reuse Sites to Benefit Communities Close up of a person's hand wearing glove planting plant in soil.](/sites/brownfields/images/infographic/brownfields.jpg?_=17139)
Brownfields and land reuse sites are areas that may be contaminated with chemicals from past or current uses. The ATSDR Land Reuse Health Program works with cities, towns, and neighborhoods to help redevelop these sites. We turn them into spaces such as schools, parks, and gardens, protecting residents from dangerous substances and improving public health.
![Brownfield transforming communities vector graphics of vacant lots and houses, old gas stations, abandoned factories and polluted waterfronts](/sites/brownfields/images/infographic/brownfield-transforming-communities.png?_=92881)
![Three arrows three arrows](/sites/brownfields/images/infographic/brownfield-arrows.png?_=92857)
![vector graphic of new buildings](/sites/brownfields/images/infographic/brownfield-new-buildings.png?_=92875)
Creating healthy and safe community spaces
![vector graphic of gardens](/sites/brownfields/images/infographic/brownfield-community-gardens.png?_=92863)
Making it easier to get healthy foods
![Parks and trails for walking and biking](/sites/brownfields/images/infographic/brownfield-parks.png?_=92876)
Increasing physical activity and safety
There are over 500,000 brownfields and land reuse sites in the U.S. These sites range in size from less than one acre to thousands of acres. Living near them can lead to health problems.
![vector graphic of chemical spill](/sites/brownfields/images/infographic/brownfield-environmental-damage.png?_=92866)
Environmental damage
![vector graphic of a broken down house](/sites/brownfields/images/infographic/brownfield-poor-housing-quality.png?_=92878)
Poor housing quality
![vector graphic of people in poor air quality](/sites/brownfields/images/infographic/brownfield-poor-air-quality.png?_=92877)
Poor air quality
![vector graphic of a chain link fence with a keep out sign](/sites/brownfields/images/infographic/brownfield-keep-out.png?_=92868)
Lack of options for physical activity
![vector graphic of a convenience store](/sites/brownfields/images/infographic/brownfield-store.png?_=92879)
Limited access to healthy foods
![vector graphic showing a person's lung](/sites/brownfields/images/infographic/brownfield-lung-disease.png?_=92871)
Higher risk of disease (like cancer and lung disease) and earlier death
Our most important job is working directly with community members. We answer questions, provide resources, and stay involved as long as we’re needed.
![Brownfields and Reuse Opportunity Working Network volunteers](/sites/brownfields/images/infographic/brownfield-community-partnerships.jpg?_=92864)
ATSDR and its group of expert volunteers — the Brownfields & Reuse Opportunity Working Network (BROWN) — share knowledge and consult in the field with developers, officials, and others.
![Screen shot of ATSDR Action Model Toolkit website.](/sites/brownfields/images/infographic/brownfield-tools-resources.jpg?_=92881)
These materials help people assess the effects of brownfields and land reuse sites, and they allow communities to track their successes during and after redevelopment.
![Sawyer Community Alliance receiving grants for improving community health in areas with brownfields and land reuse sites.](/sites/brownfields/images/infographic/brownfield-communities-funding.jpg?_=92861)
ATSDR awards grants for improving community health in areas with brownfields and land reuse sites.
![U.S. map showing the locations of the National Brownfields/Land Reuse Health Initiative projects in each state.](/sites/brownfields/images/infographic/brownfield-map.jpg?_=41224)
Before: Abandoned church formerly used as a meth lab
After: Center for children’s art education
![Center for children’s art education in Boise, Idaho](/sites/brownfields/images/infographic/brownfield-boise-idaho.jpg?_=92860)
Before: Abandoned brass factory
After: New school and homes
![New school and homes in Kenosha, Wisconsin](/sites/brownfields/images/infographic/brownfield-kenosha-wisconsin.jpg?_=92869)
Before: Land devastated by a 2005 chlorine spill
After: Community Gardens
![Community gardens in Graniteville, South Carolina](/sites/brownfields/images/infographic/brownfield-graniteville-sc.jpg?_=92867)
Before: Brownfields in a medically underserved area
After: Community health clinic
![Community health clinic in Mulberry, Florida](/sites/brownfields/images/infographic/brownfield-mulberry-florida.jpg?_=43188)
We’ve also assisted on over 400 other sites — consulting with communities about possible exposures and contamination from brownfields.
To learn more about the Land Reuse Health Program, visit:
www.atsdr.cdc.gov/sites/brownfields
or email us at atsdr.landreuse@cdc.gov