American Experience show's poster

Poisoned Ground: The Tragedy at Love Canal

American Experience, TV's most-watched history series, brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today.

Poisoned Ground: The Tragedy at Love Canal

Season 36 Episode 4 | 112m 30s | CC

The dramatic and inspiring story of ordinary women who fought against overwhelming odds for the health and safety of their families. In the late 1970s, residents of Love Canal in Niagara Falls, NY, discovered that their homes, schools, and playgrounds were built on top of a former chemical waste dump. Housewives activated to create a grassroots movement that galvanized the landmark Superfund Bill.

Related stories

News | Rocky Mountain PBS
Young Sand Creek and Amache descendants explore shared history
A new collaboration between the Sand Creek Massacre Foundation and the Amache Alliance is educating young people about their history on Colorado's southeastern plains.
 | Rae Solomon
News | Rocky Mountain PBS
Get your hands on history at History Colorado’s research center
The History Colorado Center’s vast collection of archives and artifacts is free and open to the public. Here’s what it includes and how to access it.
 | Carly Rose
Rocky Mountain PBS
Huerfano County celebrates early families, regional history
Hundreds gathered in La Veta and Walsenburg over the weekend to celebrate Huerfano County’s families and unique regional history.
 | Kate Perdoni

American Experience

Watch more episodes

See more
See more
Corporate sponsorship for American Experience is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Carlisle Companies. Major funding by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.