“Poisoned Ground: The Tragedy at Love Canal” is a documentary that tells the story of a working-class neighborhood in Niagara Falls, New York, called Love Canal. In the late 1970s, residents discovered their homes and public spaces were built on a toxic waste dump.

The film focuses on the ordinary housewives who became activists in the face of this environmental disaster. These women fought for their families’ health and safety, challenging powerful entities and bringing national attention to the human cost of unregulated industry. Their activism is credited with leading to the creation of the Superfund Bill, a landmark piece of legislation for environmental clean-up.

Watch the film at the PBS website.