Set it in the 1980s, make it feel like the very worst of LA smog with the worst of Pittsburg water pollution. Have the climax be evocative of the Cuyahoga River Fire where a river literally burst into flames from water pollution as a backdrop, to really drive home that Ivy isn't wrong.

Her origin story is born entirely of empathetic pain and anger. It's a pity most writers suck at drawing that out.