When Workplace Risks Extend Beyond the Job: Insights from Netflix's 'Toxic Town'

The concept of workplace safety has evolved dramatically over the past few decades. Viewed primarily as a matter of ensuring employees are not exposed to hazardous workplace conditions, it has now become an increasingly complex issue – one that extends beyond the job site and into surrounding communities.

The recent Netflix series Toxic Town sheds light on how hazardous workplace exposure can have lasting consequences, affecting not just workers but entire communities and even future generations.

This article explores key lessons from Toxic Town, draws on real-world examples of industrial pollution and environmental contamination, and discusses why the combined efforts of occupational and environmental hygiene are essential for protecting both workers and the communities around them.

The Problem Exposed in “Toxic Town”

Netflix’s Toxic Town mini-series follows the mothers involved in the Corby Toxic Waste Case, a legal battle that exposed the devastating impact of industrial contamination. The story centres on Corby Borough Council’s mismanagement of the Corby Steelworks reclamation, which left a devastating legacy.

In 2009, the case led to a landmark ruling, which was the first to establish a link between heavy metal exposure from airborne dust and birth defects.

At its core, Toxic Town highlights how local mismanagement and poor environmental oversight resulted in widespread hazardous dust exposure, affecting reclamation workers, their families, and nearby residents. The story paints a stark picture of how unchecked industrial practices can cause irreversible harm, even to those with no direct connection to the workplace – demonstrating the far-reaching consequences of workplace safety failures.

Global Examples of Environmental Exposure Risks

The problem of environmental exposure to industrial pollution is not unique to the Corby case. Around the world there are many examples of entire communities suffering the consequences of hazardous industrial practices, particularly in regions where economic dependence on a single industry creates long-term health and environmental risks.

Critically, these communities are not passive victims. Many are among the most vulnerable due to socioeconomic disparities, limited political influence, and inadequate risk recognition. The following cases highlight the far-reaching consequences of industrial contamination and its devastating impact on public health:

La Oroya, Peru

In La Oroya, once home to one of the world’s largest lead smelting plants, residents have been exposed to extremely high levels of lead and heavy metal exposure. The plant's activities were so damaging to the neighbouring environment that La Oroya was once considered one of the most polluted places on Earth. But in March 2024, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights held the Peruvian government responsible for violating the rights of the residents of La Oroya, and ordered the government to adopt comprehensive reparation measures – including environmental remediation, free and specialised medical care, compensation, and a resettlement plan for the affected people. This ruling by the international court was the first of its kind, setting a significant precedent for environmental justice.

Love Canal, New York

Widely regarded as one of the worst chemical contamination disasters in history, Love Canal was built on a former chemical waste disposal site. Toxic substances, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, and pesticides, leached into the soil, water, and basements of homes in the area. The health toll to the surrounding community was devastating, with reports of miscarriages, birth defects, cancers, and other serious diseases. The Love Canal disaster ultimately led to the creation of the U.S. Superfund program, which gives the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the funds and authority to clean up contaminated sites.

Grimsby & Immingham, Lincolnshire

The chemical and oil refineries in Grimsby and Immingham have long raised concerns about airborne pollutants, particularly benzene and particulate matter (PM). By the 1990s, studies revealed that nearby communities experienced higher rates of respiratory illness, cancers, and other chronic conditions linked to depleted air quality. The health impact of these refineries remains a point of concern, highlighting the need for stronger environmental monitoring and regulation.

Asbestos, Quebec

One of the most well-documented cases of industrial exposure is Asbestos, Quebec – a town that was so synonymous with asbestos mining that it was named after the hazardous mineral itself. Asbestos fibres, once widely used in construction and manufacturing, were later linked to asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer. Yet asbestos mining did not officially cease until 2011, despite growing awareness of its severe health risks. Although the mines have closed, the legacy of the area’s industrial activity has resulted in not only a high incidence of respiratory diseases but also profound social and economic consequences for the community, which has struggled to move past the dependency on the asbestos industry.

Why This is Still Relevant Today?

Even with the rise of digital economies, many communities continue to rely heavily on a single industry, whether it's oil and gas, mining, or heavy manufacturing, often due to historic or strategic importance. Whilst remote work and digital innovation have significantly reduced certain types of workplace risks, industries that still rely on heavy manufacturing, mining, or chemical processing continue to pose dangers to both workers and local communities. In fact, these high-risk sectors are often the least adaptable to hybrid or remote work, meaning daily exposures – and the risk of contaminants spreading beyond the workplace – remain a critical issue.

Moreover, as climate change accelerates as climate change accelerates and sustainability takes centre stage in public policy, we are witnessing a growing recognition of the interdependence between occupational hygiene (protecting workers) and environmental hygiene (safeguarding communities). Today, workplace safety can no longer be addressed in isolation – it must be considered within the broader context of environmental health and public safety.

The Need for Occupational and Environmental Hygiene to Work Together

A key lesson from Toxic Town and similar real-world industrial disasters is that occupational hygiene and environmental hygiene are not separate domains. The lines between where the workplace ends and the community begins are often blurry, especially in industrial towns. To effectively monitor and mitigate hazard exposure, both disciplines must work together to develop regulations, enforce compliance, and implement risk management strategies that protect workers and surrounding populations. Successful collaborations have demonstrated how a unified approach can prevent long-term health crises.

One notable case occurred in the late 1990s when the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) worked closely with the oil refinery industry to implement stricter emission controls, whilst also enhancing workplace health measures for workers exposed to toxic substances like benzene and hydrogen sulphide. This effort was further reinforced by the introduction of the Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) regulations, designed to ensure that companies handling large volumes of hazardous substances integrate both occupational safety measures and environmental protection protocols. These regulations remain a cornerstone of industrial risk management in the UK today.

One of the most famous international cases of occupational and environmental safety failures involves DuPont’s chemical plant in West Virginia, which produced perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA, also known as C8), which is a key ingredient in Teflon products. The health risks to workers from exposure to PFOA were initially well-documented by occupational hygienist provisions, however DuPont faced intense scrutiny when it was revealed that the environmental impact of PFOA had not been adequately considered or communicated to the public. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and environmental groups such as the C8 Science Panel eventually worked together to monitor both workplace exposure and environmental contamination, leading to a clean-up of contaminated water sources and public health campaigns to tackle both the immediate risks to workers and the long-term effects on the surrounding population. But despite cleanup efforts, the damage to public health and the environment was irreversible, illustrating the consequences of delayed intervention and corporate negligence.

Conclusion

The risks associated with industrial exposure and environmental contamination remain as relevant today as ever. Toxic Town serves as a powerful reminder that the consequences of poor workplace safety extend far beyond the job site, often leaving entire communities to suffer the effects for generations.

Whilst some of these industries are in decline, many communities continue to face the lasting consequences of past industrial mismanagement. A holistic approach to workplace and environmental safety where occupational hygiene and environmental hygiene work in tandem is crucial to preventing future disasters and protecting both workers and communities.

As industries evolve and sustainability takes centre stage, addressing these risks through proactive, integrated safety measures will be vital. By learning from past mistakes, we can work towards a future where both livelihoods and public health are safeguarded for generations to come.

“Toxic Town”, created by Jack Thorne and starring Jodie Whittaker, Aimee Lou Wood & Rory Kinnear, is streaming on Netflix.