In 1977, tests were done to see if toxins were coming into contact with residence of Love Canal. When the results came, and it was shown that there were more than two hundred different chemicals seeping into the basements of residents as well as the school where the children of the area went. Of the chemicals that were found, and able to be identified thirty-four were known to cause cancer. More horrifying is that nearly one hundred of the chemicals found, had no information available what so ever.
In 1978, a study done by the State of New York showed that there was a greater increase in miscarriages among women living within what they considered ‘first tier’ of homes surrounding the canal. Upon that discovery a health emergency was immediately declared, the school was closed, and nearly 235 families are evacuated.
The next families to be evacuated were any families with pregnant women, or children under the age of two years old, and from the southern half of the Canal which was considered the more contaminated area. And by May 1980, evacuation was available to any family that wanted to leave.
All in all studies show that children of Love Canal were 2.5%more likely to have seizures, 1.5% more prevalent to have learning disabilities, there were also increases in the prevalence of hyperactivity, eye irritation, as well as skin rash and abdominal pain.
In 1989, there was a push by the EPA to re name Love Canal, to Sunrise City. Many believed this was a push to have the area re occupied. The Public was told, and thankfully the change wasn’t made.
We as human beings need to be more aware of our surroundings, and the horrible things happening to our planet.
No comments:
Post a Comment