The state of South Carolina has historically high rates of poverty, well above the national average, as well as environmental hazards that have an effect on the financial and physical well-being of portions of the populace. There is also an above-average level of single-parent families and a noticeable decline in agriculture, traditionally a significant sector. South Carolina hosts 26 uncontrolled hazardous waste sites, referred to by the U.S. government as Superfund sites. These are notorious for a disproportionately high level of medical problems and impoverishment in their surrounding areas. In other environmental health concerns, there are clusters of childhood lead poisoning and associated intellectual disabilities in South Carolina. This type of cluster is primarily situated within several higher-poverty areas within the state.

According to data from ...