BP Refinery - Whiting, Indiana. The surrounding communities are under an incredible burden of pollution from the BP refinery. The area is heavily industrialized resulting in high levels of air pollution. Residents of Whiting, Indiana have the 8th highest risk of cancer in the US and are 17 times more likely to develop cancer than the national average.
Situated adjacent to a...READ ON
Situated adjacent to a company with record breaking profits year after year, the residential areas of Whiting, Hammond and East Chicago, including Marktown, Indiana are ethnically diverse and economically depressed. This is especially evident in Marktown.
An elderly man walks home...READ ON
An elderly man walks home after shopping at one of the very few stores left around the neighborhood in East Chicago.
The pianist of the First...READ ON
The pianist of the First Mission of Jesus Christ Church prepares for services, where sermons are accompanied with lively music, singing and dancing.
Three-year-old Louie loves...READ ON
Three-year-old Louie loves to watch wrestling with his brother Timmy. Louie suffers from asthma. Because of Louie’s illness he lives with his father away from his mother Leslie and brother Timmy who have their home in Marktown, a stones throw away from the BP refinery. During one hospital visit, when he observed several young cancer patients, Louie decided to let his hair grow so he can donate his hair to make wigs for children in need. He and his parents plan to donate his hair to Locks of Love, a non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss.
A young church member plays in the pews at First Mission of Jesus Christ Church in East Chicago.
First Mission of Christ...READ ON
First Mission of Christ Church in East Chicago, Indiana. Parishioners were told: "Things will get worse, so enjoy what you have today."
Jose and his cousin in the backyard of their grandparents home, Marktown, Indiana.
About 25% of the 300...READ ON
About 25% of the 300 residential homes in Marktown are abandoned and are in various state of disrepair. Left with no alternative means of responding the urban blight, many of the remaining residents have taken it upon themselves to, as they are able, care for these abandoned properties.
A ball behind the fence. Marktown, IN.
Despite the decaying houses,...READ ON
Despite the decaying houses, air pollution and uncertain future of their neighborhood, friends Andrew, Eric, Eli and Jose spend a Saturday afternoon playing in the backyard of Eric's grandparents' house. His grandparents own several properties in Marktown and have not yet decided what their answer would be if BP made an offer to purchase their home and tear it down.
Resident families celebrating the 4th of July in East Chicago, Indiana.
Javier M.'s oldest daughter...READ ON
Javier M.'s oldest daughter is moving away to go to college. He hopes to stay in his Marktown home and send his youngest daughter to college in the future. Leaving the home would not only uproot his family from the only home they have ever known, but also result in new financial difficulties.
Many military families live...READ ON
Many military families live in the communities around BP. On permanent display in one East Chicago home, is a memorial to PFC Louis P. who was shot and killed in Iraq in 2004 a week after he celebrated his 20th birthday.
Many residents display the...READ ON
Many residents display the American flag all year around and especially during 4th of July celebrations.
BP's refinery is an...READ ON
BP's refinery is an omnipresent entity throughout the area. It is easy to confuse residential communities as being part of the refinery campus.
Perched on the edge of Lake Michigan in Indiana, just south of Chicago, is the 6th largest refinery in the US, operated by BP. This BP refinery is situated amongst a diverse community of residents who make their home in the shadow of the industrial complex.
While primarily located in Whiting, Indiana, it also spans the neighboring cities of Hammond and East Chicago. Within East Chicago is a historic community known as Marktown, solidly located in BP refinery's shadow. These communities are ethnically diverse and include a large proportion of low-income families. While the residents may struggle, BP continues to expand its already-sprawling footprint with new equipment.
BP refinery's expansion has resulted in additional pollution and impurities in the air for all these residents. They believe that numerous serious public health issues in their community are caused by environmental pollution. One such pollutant is radon gas, an airborne cancer-causing poison. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that one in three Whiting homes have radon levels over the safety threshold of 4 pCi/L. The high levels of air pollution have created an area that has the 8th highest risk of cancer in the US. Residents are 17 times more likely to develop cancer than the national average.
Clayton Mark, who planned a complete residential community for his workers at The Mark Manufacturing Company, founded Marktown in 1917. This community of some 300 residents was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. The industrial complexes in East Chicago have expanded, and now directly abut Marktown.
Despite its historical designation, due to its location many of Marktown’s properties have been purchased by BP and destroyed – purportedly to make room for a parking lot. As a result, the residents of Marktown find themselves at odds with both BP and their neighbors. Some are eager to sell, as they believe that they stand to gain financially from this transaction. Others are wary of BP’s plan, as so far the known purchase prices fall far too short of expectations and seem unfair.
Many residents have purchased their home within the past decade with the intention of remaining in their home for the rest of their lives. Based on this intention they have spent a good amount of labor and money making improvements. Others obtained their property by capitalizing on the low property values, have not made any improvements and stand to gain from any sales that occur.There are many who have spent their entire lives in the area. For those that have paid for their homes in full, they find it difficult to foresee a situation where they would be able to sell their properties to BP and move to a similar home elsewhere. This is especially problematic for those living on fixed retirement incomes after years of work.
Marktown’s property acquisition is only one aspect of the effects this refinery has had on the community. Some 100,000 people live near and around this facility and are immediately affected by its operation.
This is an ongoing project to document the lives of those living under the physical and environmental shadow of BP refinery. It has been an honor to meet many of the residents along these areas, invited into their homes and allowed to photograph their lives.
Editorial, Documentary & Portrait Photography by Nima Taradji
Editorial, Documentary and Portrait Photography by Nima Taradji - Visual Story Telling by Nima Taradji - Based in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles