Throughout this field study there are many concerns that revolve around superfund and landfill sites that can cause disruption within our water systems and its negative impact on air quality. In the article “Policy Implementation and the Environmental Protection Agency: What Factors Influence Remediation at Superfund Sites?” by Dorothy M. and David F. Layton, they stated, “The impact of contaminant mixtures on human health remains largely unknown; however, substances commonly found at Superfund sites have been linked to a variety of human health problems, such as birth defects, infertility, cancer, and changes in neurobehavioral functions (Hall, Price-Green, Dhara, & Kaye, 1995; Johnson, 1995; and Johnson & DeRosa, 1997).”(Pg. 375) This shows …show more content…
Polychlorinated biphenyls is an industrial chemical that can be found in insulators, capacitors, or any electric appliances that are use everyday. This potential toxic may affect a local community that live near the Hudson River because they are being exposed to the chemicals that are transmitted through the environment. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency website, they stated, “Once PCBs entered the river, they were deposited and mixed with the sediments at many locations on the river bottom and at some locations along the shoreline in the floodplain. PCBs build up in the environment (bioaccumulate), increasing in concentration as you move up the food chain.” (“EPA”, 2016) This shows that it is possible for this toxic to leak into the river which would be consumed by living organism that live there such as fishes. Rivers plays a major role moving PCBs throughout moving waters because it can locate PCBs anywhere. Also, according to the National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration website, they states, “Microorganisms, such as bacteria, algae, or fungi, biodegrade PCBs when found in soil or sediments.”(“NOAA”, 2014) This shows how it is possible for this toxin to hit land because it would be sunk into the soil, which can impact anyone who comes in contact with the dirt. This would result in being intoxicated with PCBs in the long run and would harm their health if they are not full aware of this
There has been contamination found in the groundwater surrounding all four towns. The groundwater is contaminated with VOCs, trichloroethene (TCE), ethylene dibromide (EDB), carbon tetrachloride (CCI4), perchloroethylene (PCE), benzene, vinal chloride, 1,1,2,2-TeCA, 1,4-dichlorobenzene, manganese, thallium, lead, toluene, and RDX. “Ethylene dibromide is especially worry some because it was found upwelling in cranberry bogs located in Falmouth and Mashpee (militarycontamination)”. Where it would was stored in the cranberries skin. “Falmouth being the most affected area losing twenty five percent of its possible drinking water supply (wr.usgs)”. Although the plumes are deep down in the aquifer. “People could be at risk if they accidentally drink the water or come into direct contact with the contaminated groundwater (militarycontamination)”. The way towns keep the residents from coming in contact with the possible risks of
Also depicted in this paper is the type of cancers caused by each chemical and other related health problems associated with each chemical. Finally, the role of government agencies such as FDA, EPA and OSHA in preventing excessive amount or zero amounts of toxic chemicals from entering the environment will be discussed. The last paragraphs will enumerate the inferred conclusion from my research on Agent Orange, DDT and Benzene.
Superfund sites are districts in communities that have abandoned hazardous wastes on territories that need immediate removal.In the early 70’s the Comprehensive Environmental Response and Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 encouraged Superfund statues in Washington and these statues handle issues associated with land pollution and abandoned hazardous waste on territories .Superfund acts aid Washington and environmental agencies with removing hazardous waste and it also, allows them to pursue people and corporations that own hazardous waste territories. The principles for the Superfund acts include the quick removal of hazardous materials when environmental regulations demand it, bringing legal disputes against owners of hazardous waste territories, initiating communities and states in waste removal processes and developing extended programs that protect citizens from hazardous waste territories .In the late 70's environmental advocates discovered the contamination at the Superfund site called the Love Canal in Niagara Falls ,NY and they also discovered the surrounding territories contained pollutants and abandoned hazardous waste .The Love Canal is New York states first case of environmental neglect by a corporation and this community and facilities contained hazardous polluted water and dirt that resulted from years of accidental spills ,leaks and irresponsible business recycling
Reinberg, S. (2013, July 31). Plastics Chemical BPA May Harm Human Fertility. Retrieved April 11, 2017, from http://www.webmd.com/baby/news/20130731/plastics-chemical-bpa-may-harm-human-fertility-study#1
From 1947 to 1977, these two plants legally discharged from 500,000 to 1.5 million pounds of PCBs into the Hudson, and unknowingly saturated the bedrock beneath both sites with at least that much again. There are PCBs in Hudson River water, biota, and sediment from Hudson Falls to New York City - 200 miles that comprise the nations largest Superfund site. Pure PCBs are oozing out of the bedrock to this day, constantly recontaminating the river and over 300,000 pounds remain concentrated in bottom sediments of the river today. The spread of PCBs throughout the Hudson River and the food chain, which it supports, has created one of the most extensive hazardous waste problems in the nation. Polychlorinated biphenyl’s (PCBs) are a group of synthetic oil-like chemicals (therefore insoluble in water) of the organochlorine family. Until their toxic nature was recognized and their use was banned in the 1970s, they were widely used as insulation in electrical equipment, particularly transformers. Reputable chemists have since concluded, “it was probably a mistake ever to make or use PCBs.” These are serious poisons, which have been shown to cause damage to the reproductive, neurological and immune systems of wildlife and humans and are known to cause cancer. Exposure has also been linked to behavioral damage. Specifically, because PCBs in the body mimic estrogen, women of childbearing age and their infants are particularly susceptible
Also depicted in this paper is the type of cancers caused by each chemical and other related health problems associated with each chemical. Finally, the role of government agencies such as FDA, EPA and OSHA in preventing excessive amount or zero amounts of toxic chemicals from entering the environment will be discussed. The last paragraphs will enumerate the inferred conclusion from my research on Agent Orange, DDT and Benzene.
However, despite his remarkable leadership, Welch failed to fulfill GE’s duty of social responsibility. In his tenure, he failed to protect societal assets or avoid harm to the environment. GE contributed to environmental degradation in areas where the company manufactured its products. Under Welch’s reign, the company polluted the Hudson River with one of the most toxic and persistent substance known as the Polychlorinated biphenyl’s (PCBs). This substance is very harmful to the environment and known to cause cancer in humans. GE is accused of dumping approximately 1.3 million pounds of PCBs into the Hudson River in the period 1947-1977. This led to an entire 197-mile stretch of Hudson River turning into a superfund site in the nation. GE
The next Superfund that has greatly influenced the environment of Butler County is the Skinner Landfill. The Landfill is on 85 acres in West Chester (2). The facility was privately owned and was never actually licensed, so it closed in the 1970's (5). The landfill contains about 100 drums of chlorinated organics, and heavy metals. Along with the presence of the drums is the fact that a nearby lagoon was once used as a disposal for these contaminants, and that the site had problems with unauthorized dumping (5). Fortunately, no contaminants have been discovered leaving the site (5). The presence of these
Assessments began to take place in the mid 1980’s, shortly after the site made the National Priorities list in 1983. Relevant standards and guidance levels were used to measure the effect of the Helen Kramer Landfill. The initiation of the EPA’s remedial investigation and feasibility study deemed the nature of the Helen Kramer landfill as an extreme risk to the environment, characterizing the site “by randomly placed, uncompacted, and uncovered refuse, with numerous settlement cracks which vented methane and water vapor” (2). According to the EPA, several million gallons of chemical wastes and over two million cubic yards of solid waste were estimated to have been disposed of at the landfill (2). Studies were performed by the EPA, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, federal natural resource trustees in the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to evaluate the onsite and nearby environmental effects due to the landfill. During these studies, contaminants were detected in air, sediments, and aquifers, including high levels of volatile organic compounds and heavy metals in the air and sediments. VOCS and heavy metals expose humans to carcinogens, developmental toxicants, and reproductive toxicants. The assessments also detected numerous contaminants such as (but not limited to),
Often, toxic substances are being drained into the air, waterways, and undergrounds wells. According to the report by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), over 60 million pounds of deadly chemicals are produced by industries in Florida. Notably, Florida’s water has been suffering mercury contamination until the state’s department of migration issues a circular regularly for regulations of eating freshwater fish in the region (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission). In fact, such metals emanate from coal combustion’s emissions which run into water bodies. Not to mention, pesticides and herbicides utilized by government and homeowners pollute the environment (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission). Indeed, all chemicals released into the atmosphere find themselves in rivers.
I will expound on my point of view in environmentalist interest group to discuss the causes and effects of a high convergence of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in the Kalamazoo River and afterward discuss how to deal with the issue and give my own proposals and concentrate on one to two of my own recommendations completely.
Since the birth of The Superfund Act there has been a fair amount of controversy in its effectiveness of hazardous waste site cleanup, but upon my research it appears to have had a great deal of success in the execution of its laws. Although each new administration brings a change of funding, or lack thereof, the EPA fights on
Many factors can contribute to the downfall of a relationship. In “Home Burial”, a modernist poem by Robert Frost, the death of s child causes said downfall. In “Your Love is Killing Me” by Sharon Van Etten, the cause of the decline in the relationship is unknown. Though similar in the way they depict the downfall of relationships, “Home Burial” and “Your Love is Killing Me” differ in their attitudes towards said relationships.
In The Glass Menagerie, Tennessee Williams uses the phrase or nickname Blue Roses to symbolize Laura’s difference from the social mean, which reveals how her hopes and dream impact her. Blue Roses are different from normal roses, something you would never see in nature. Jim astutely identifies this when he says:
PCB’s (polychlorinated biphenyls) and dioxins have been in focus recently as there are concerns that the different structures are appearing to mimic the effects of female oestrogenic hormones. (Gray 1996) These chemicals can cause genetic chromosomal problems and major concerns to the reproductive effectiveness of marine animals. Oil spills and the burning of wood and coal can cause poly-aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which has a negative effect on all wildlife causing genetic abnormalities. (EMCBTAP-ENVIS Newsletter 2002).