For the Documerica Project (1971-1977), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hired freelance photographers to capture images relating to environmental problems, EPA activities, and everyday life in the 1970s.
Michael Philip Manheim was one of nearly one hundred photographers hired for Documerica. His assignment was to document the noise pollution crises in the East Boston neighborhood around Neptune Road.
Manheim captured powerful images of the deteriorating community, illustrating its uncomfortable proximity to one of the nation’s busiest airports and the plight of residents living under the landing path of jets on the approach to Logan’s busy runways.
Building under construction, off Neptune Road, East Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, May 1973
A jet flies over Neptune Road, East Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, May 1973
A side of the MBTA (Metropolitan Boston Transit Authority) pedestrian bridge that links the split segments of Neptune Road, East Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, May 1973
Airplane coming in for a landing over Neptune Road homes, near Logan Airport, East Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, May 1973
Children play ball in front of their homes on Neptune Road. Logan Airport is at the end of the street, East Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, May 1973
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