February 23, 2010- Paige Cool and Alison Walter are putting up a great fight against a landfill planned for their rural neighborhood east of Brooksville. The letter of opposition they sent to the state Department of Environmental Protection is well written and footnoted like a doctoral dissertation.
I learned that construction and demolition debris landfills such as the one planned for their neighborhood are not as harmless as commonly believed and can contaminate the groundwater with arsenic and other toxins.
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Water Contamination, Land Pollution & Hazardous Waste Material are issues families all across America are afflicted with daily.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
VA Family's Water Contaminated by Leaking Gas Station Tanks
February 23, 2010- A leaking underground storage tank on the premises of an old, defunct gas station in Keswick, Virginia, demonstrates how destructive a seemingly innocuous fuel tank leak can be. A report by Charlottesville News & Arts tells the story of David and Holli Traud, who bought a brand-new home just east of Charlottesville last year. However, when they moved in, they noticed that the tap water in their new home had a strange smell and bad taste.
At first the Trauds assumed the water’s bad odor and taste came from being unused, so they gave it the benefit of the doubt and waited a couple of weeks. To their surprise, the problem only grew worse.
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At first the Trauds assumed the water’s bad odor and taste came from being unused, so they gave it the benefit of the doubt and waited a couple of weeks. To their surprise, the problem only grew worse.
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Thursday, February 18, 2010
Cancer Cluster Frightens Palm Beach County Community
February 16, 2010 - When Stephanie Peskowitz and her husband Ira bought a home in The Acreage five years ago, they figured they had found a woodsy paradise large enough for their dreams. But for the Peskowitz family, and thousands of others in this western Palm Beach County community, the joy of living miles away from the urban clutter and noise has been supplanted by something louder and more insistent -- fear.
This month the county's Health Department confirmed that The Acreage is home to a cancer cluster, defined as an area with rates of brain tumors and brain cancers higher than normal.Evidence suggests the incidence of such cancers may be especially elevated among children.
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This month the county's Health Department confirmed that The Acreage is home to a cancer cluster, defined as an area with rates of brain tumors and brain cancers higher than normal.Evidence suggests the incidence of such cancers may be especially elevated among children.
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Tainted Well Water in Stamford, CT
February 18, 2010 - North Stamford Concerned Citizens for the Environment formed last fall when homeowners near Stamford's Scofieldtown Park learned their well water was tainted with banned pesticides. The same toxins had been found in the soil of the park, which was built on a former industrial landfill. Many in the area believed commercial waste from the site had leached into the ground water, and they decided to act.
Fans of Hollywood films about environmental activism, like Erin Brockovich, would have appreciated the low-key setting of their kickoff event: the florescent-lit common room in the neighborhood's Villa Maria Education Center, complete with folding chairs, sign-up sheets and grade school artwork. Rounding things out was a pair of professional environmental advocates, Diane Lauricella and Megan Jenny.
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Fans of Hollywood films about environmental activism, like Erin Brockovich, would have appreciated the low-key setting of their kickoff event: the florescent-lit common room in the neighborhood's Villa Maria Education Center, complete with folding chairs, sign-up sheets and grade school artwork. Rounding things out was a pair of professional environmental advocates, Diane Lauricella and Megan Jenny.
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Friday, February 12, 2010
Water Contamination in the North Pole
February 12, 2010 - Some North Pole private wells have sulfolane levels higher than new standards recommended by the federal government, but state officials say the guidelines were set low as a precaution.
Sulfolane is used in fuel refining. The Flint Hills Resources refinery in North Pole announced the contamination last fall, and an estimated 60 private wells are tainted, as well as the city's water system.
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Sulfolane is used in fuel refining. The Flint Hills Resources refinery in North Pole announced the contamination last fall, and an estimated 60 private wells are tainted, as well as the city's water system.
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Pratt & Whitney Sued Over Brain Cancer Cluster
February 11, 2010 - The first lawsuit related to the pediatric brain cancer cluster formally confirmed in the Acreage last week was filed today in federal court. Four families are named as plaintiffs in a class action suit alleging that since the 1950's, Pratt & Whitney has been dumping chemical pollutants known to cause cancer, contaminating the area. The pleadings, prepared by the law firm of Reid and Zobel state that the estimated class size is 10,000 homeowners.
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Thursday, February 11, 2010
CA. Woman’s Death After Chemical Spill Leads to Search For Answers
February 11, 2010- Hope Goodwin moved to Valley Center to retire with her mother, Joye, two decades ago.Together, the two raised championship horses and Great Danes, grew dozens of organic fruits and vegetables and were about to go into the business of farming organic garlic and Sea-buckthorn.
But the Goodwins’ lives would forever change on Nov. 16, 2006, when an EDCO garbage truck lifting a dumpster in their back yard ruptured a hydraulic line, spraying fluid on to the ground, into the air and across the property.
Joye, who was gardening outside and already had trouble breathing, may have inhaled some of the fluid. “We could smell the fumes in the house for weeks,” Hope Goodwin said.
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But the Goodwins’ lives would forever change on Nov. 16, 2006, when an EDCO garbage truck lifting a dumpster in their back yard ruptured a hydraulic line, spraying fluid on to the ground, into the air and across the property.
Joye, who was gardening outside and already had trouble breathing, may have inhaled some of the fluid. “We could smell the fumes in the house for weeks,” Hope Goodwin said.
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Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Iowa's Chamberlain Buildings are Coming Down
February 10, 2010- WATERLOO - The city expects to erase the last visible remnants of the Chamberlain Manufacturing Co. from the map this summer. But neighbors and environmental regulators will be dealing much longer with contaminants left underground at the defense contractor's sprawling former complex at East Fourth and Esther streets.
A public informational meeting organized Thursday by city planning staff, the Howard R. Green Co. and the EPA to discuss the demolition process drew only three residents. A similar meeting in November to discuss underground soil contamination, which was creating potential air quality issues in neighborhood basements, had drawn 70 residents.
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A public informational meeting organized Thursday by city planning staff, the Howard R. Green Co. and the EPA to discuss the demolition process drew only three residents. A similar meeting in November to discuss underground soil contamination, which was creating potential air quality issues in neighborhood basements, had drawn 70 residents.
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California City Near Landfill Hopeful After EPA Visit
February 10, 2010- It was the day the families of this rural farm community had long awaited.
After nearly two years of pleading for someone to listen to their concerns about an abnormally high number of birth defects, families bonded by the suffering of their children got one of the biggest ears in the West on Wednesday.
Jared Blumenfeld, newly appointed regional director of the EPA's Pacific Southwest division, sat as mothers of modest means hugged sons born with cleft palates. The mothers believe six children were born in the area with defects during an 18-month period because they live three miles downwind from the biggest hazardous waste landfill west of the Mississippi River.
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After nearly two years of pleading for someone to listen to their concerns about an abnormally high number of birth defects, families bonded by the suffering of their children got one of the biggest ears in the West on Wednesday.
Jared Blumenfeld, newly appointed regional director of the EPA's Pacific Southwest division, sat as mothers of modest means hugged sons born with cleft palates. The mothers believe six children were born in the area with defects during an 18-month period because they live three miles downwind from the biggest hazardous waste landfill west of the Mississippi River.
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Pompton Lakes NJ Residents Can Choose From 280 Contractors to Remove DuPont Contamination From Homes
February 10, 2010- The state has issued a list of approved vendors and a price limit for Pompton Lakes residents who want to hire their own contractors rather than rely on the company chosen by DuPont to install venting systems to remove toxic vapors from their homes.
The DEP has provided a list of more than 280 approved contractors.
The design, installation and post-mitigation reporting should not exceed $6,950, while operation and maintenance costs the first year should not exceed $1,800, the DEP said.
State and federal health officials have been pushing residents in homes atop a plume of groundwater contaminated by the former DuPont plant to have vapor mitigation systems installed to reduce their exposure to the toxic fumes, which can work their way up into basements from the groundwater below.
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The DEP has provided a list of more than 280 approved contractors.
The design, installation and post-mitigation reporting should not exceed $6,950, while operation and maintenance costs the first year should not exceed $1,800, the DEP said.
State and federal health officials have been pushing residents in homes atop a plume of groundwater contaminated by the former DuPont plant to have vapor mitigation systems installed to reduce their exposure to the toxic fumes, which can work their way up into basements from the groundwater below.
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Pollution fix-it plan proposed for Georgetown site in WA.
February 10, 2010- The state has proposed several fix-it measures to tackle groundwater contamination in Seattle's Georgetown neighborhood. Washington's Department of Ecology is seeking public comments on the proposal through March 26.
Burlington Environmental LLC, a subsidiary of PSC Environmental Services, operated a hazardous wastes processing plant at the site at 734 S. Lucille St. until 2003, when it closed.
Several types of chemicals contaminated the soil and groundwater at that location, the ecology department said in a news release. Burlington has no plans to revive the plant.
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Burlington Environmental LLC, a subsidiary of PSC Environmental Services, operated a hazardous wastes processing plant at the site at 734 S. Lucille St. until 2003, when it closed.
Several types of chemicals contaminated the soil and groundwater at that location, the ecology department said in a news release. Burlington has no plans to revive the plant.
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Home Hazard: Family's Residence in Prattville, AL Had Been Used as a Meth Lab
February 10, 2010- The only room in this one-story house safe enough for human inhabitation is a small, non-ventilated room with a toilet, and even that is toxic.
Brenda Maitland bought the house, hidden just off Alabama 59, about four years ago. It is where she, her husband and two young daughters were going to swim, ride their new horse, plant a garden -- make a home. But just after a week of living there, Maitland's youngest daughter got sick: sore throat, earaches, watery eyes, burning skin. They were the same symptoms that Brenda Maitland came down with while scrubbing the house the week before the family moved in.
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Brenda Maitland bought the house, hidden just off Alabama 59, about four years ago. It is where she, her husband and two young daughters were going to swim, ride their new horse, plant a garden -- make a home. But just after a week of living there, Maitland's youngest daughter got sick: sore throat, earaches, watery eyes, burning skin. They were the same symptoms that Brenda Maitland came down with while scrubbing the house the week before the family moved in.
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Raucous Crowd at Florida Cancer Cluster Meeting
February 10, 2010- More than a thousand people spilled out of the emotionally charged auditorium at Seminole Ridge Regional High School Tuesday night as representatives of the State Heath Department, who were ridiculed for offering too little, too late, attempted to offer sympathy.
"We are sorry for the loss of your children," said Shairi Turner of the Department of Health.” Sorry for the loss of your property values. We understand your frustration."
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"We are sorry for the loss of your children," said Shairi Turner of the Department of Health.” Sorry for the loss of your property values. We understand your frustration."
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Friday, February 5, 2010
Radioactive Tritium Found in Groundwater Near Vermont Nuclear Plant
February 5, 2010 - In a community where the elementary school principal's office has a radiation gauge, safety is never far from people's minds. The discovery of radioactive tritium in a groundwater monitoring well at Vermont Yankee nuclear plant has some thinking about it even more now.
"I want it shut down," said Edward Riordan, 42, of Vernon, smoking a cigarette outside Nesbitt's Portside Tavern after lunch Tuesday. "There's radioactivity leaking all over the place."
Riordan, whose late father worked at the plant, said the tritium leak has caused him to rethink his recreational use of the Connecticut River. "I used to swim and fish in it, but I'm not going to now. Now, we're not going to bother."
Tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen, can cause cancer if ingested, inhaled or absorbed through skin in large amounts.
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"I want it shut down," said Edward Riordan, 42, of Vernon, smoking a cigarette outside Nesbitt's Portside Tavern after lunch Tuesday. "There's radioactivity leaking all over the place."
Riordan, whose late father worked at the plant, said the tritium leak has caused him to rethink his recreational use of the Connecticut River. "I used to swim and fish in it, but I'm not going to now. Now, we're not going to bother."
Tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen, can cause cancer if ingested, inhaled or absorbed through skin in large amounts.
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Thursday, February 4, 2010
New Jersey Debates Adding Environmental Concerns to Home Deeds
February 3, 2010 - Should homeowners be required to explain environmental concerns on the deeds to their homes when they put their properties on the market? Some residents say yes, but others say no.
Borough Attorney Joe Ragno researched this issue after resident Lisa Riggiola suggested that the borough adopt an ordinance requiring all potential buyers to be notified that the home they are considering is located in the Plume, which is the area in the borough contaminated by DuPont.
During the Jan. 27 Borough Council meeting, Ragno outlined several reasons why such an ordinance would not be a good idea.
"There are some safeguards in place from the state that are already there for buyers that buy properties in the Plume," said Ragno. The attorney explained that describing the contamination on the deed would attach this stigma to the home long after the property was cleaned. "It would potentially be infinite in nature. When this happens, those deeds will still be out there, potentially damaging the people who own those properties," Ragno said.
Laws already in place require the real estate commission and Realtors to disclose this information. In addition, buyers are also protected by the state Consumer Fraud Act, which requires disclosure and punishes sellers who fail to disclose this information.
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Borough Attorney Joe Ragno researched this issue after resident Lisa Riggiola suggested that the borough adopt an ordinance requiring all potential buyers to be notified that the home they are considering is located in the Plume, which is the area in the borough contaminated by DuPont.
During the Jan. 27 Borough Council meeting, Ragno outlined several reasons why such an ordinance would not be a good idea.
"There are some safeguards in place from the state that are already there for buyers that buy properties in the Plume," said Ragno. The attorney explained that describing the contamination on the deed would attach this stigma to the home long after the property was cleaned. "It would potentially be infinite in nature. When this happens, those deeds will still be out there, potentially damaging the people who own those properties," Ragno said.
Laws already in place require the real estate commission and Realtors to disclose this information. In addition, buyers are also protected by the state Consumer Fraud Act, which requires disclosure and punishes sellers who fail to disclose this information.
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Wednesday, February 3, 2010
TX to Investigate Possible Cancer Cluster in Flower Mound
February 3, 2010- Officials at the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) are preparing to investigate parts of Flower Mound to see if the number of leukemia cases are higher than in other parts of the state.
This comes after concerns of a leukemia cancer cluster in zip codes 75022 and 75028. Residents say that there are five children and two adults within the Wellington neighborhood alone who have been diagnosed with leukemia in the last few years.
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This comes after concerns of a leukemia cancer cluster in zip codes 75022 and 75028. Residents say that there are five children and two adults within the Wellington neighborhood alone who have been diagnosed with leukemia in the last few years.
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Frisco, TX Residents Concerned About Lead Exposure
February 3, 2010- Some Frisco residents question whether emissions from a local plant have affected the health of neighborhood children.
Some Frisco residents have expressed concerns about possible lead contamination from a local plant. As reported by the Dallas Morning News, the city is considering another health risk study concerning areas near a battery recycling plant currently operated by Exide Technologies Inc., which has lead some to reflect on results of a first study.
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Some Frisco residents have expressed concerns about possible lead contamination from a local plant. As reported by the Dallas Morning News, the city is considering another health risk study concerning areas near a battery recycling plant currently operated by Exide Technologies Inc., which has lead some to reflect on results of a first study.
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Monday, February 1, 2010
EPA to Visit Calif. Town With Birth Defect Cluster
February 1, 2010- Dozens of people chanted and held signs outside the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency headquarters in San Francisco to draw more attention to a cluster of birth defects in a town near the largest toxic waste dump in the West.
The rally came on the heels of an announcement that a top-ranking EPA official would visit the California farm town of Kettleman City, a town of 1,500 halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Jared Blumenfeld, administrator for the EPA's Pacific Southwest region, promised to probe his own department and make sure "every enforcement, regulatory and permitting action that should've been taken has been taken."
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The rally came on the heels of an announcement that a top-ranking EPA official would visit the California farm town of Kettleman City, a town of 1,500 halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Jared Blumenfeld, administrator for the EPA's Pacific Southwest region, promised to probe his own department and make sure "every enforcement, regulatory and permitting action that should've been taken has been taken."
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