An ethanol plant for years polluted a Nebraska town. The health impacts still aren’t fully known
A Community Exposed: How an Ethanol Plant Polluted a Nebraska Town
For years, the AltEn ethanol plant in Mead, Nebraska operated using an unusual and hazardous feedstock: discarded, pesticide-coated corn seeds supplied by major seed companies. The process created more than 85,000 tons of contaminated waste and millions of gallons of polluted water, much of it improperly stored or disposed of. Residents reported worsening respiratory problems, unexplained allergic reactions, and widespread ecological impacts, including dying bees and pets developing sudden health issues. Researchers have since confirmed elevated levels of neonicotinoid pesticides in household dust, air samples, and even in the bodies of local residents—underscoring the scale of exposure that occurred while the plant was in operation.
Although the facility shut down in 2021 after numerous violations, the long-term health consequences remain uncertain. Ongoing studies continue to analyze medical records and environmental samples to determine the full extent of the community’s exposure. Cleanup efforts have removed the contaminated “wet cake” waste, but millions of gallons of polluted lagoon water still require treatment. For many residents, the AltEn disaster serves as a sobering example of what can happen when ethanol production intersects with weak oversight, industrial shortcuts, and hazardous agricultural inputs. As policymakers debate the future of biofuels, Mead’s experience raises urgent questions about environmental safety, regulatory accountability, and the broader risks embedded in the ethanol supply chain.