ControlofToxicandHazardousSubstances.ppt

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Control of Toxic and Hazardous Substances Love Canal In August 1978 President Carter declared a federal emergency at the Love Canal due to contamination by toxic chemicals in the area. Love Canal focused attention on hazardous waste issues and led to the passage of the federal Superfund Act. Love Canal -- Background The Love Canal neighborhood is in the city of Niagara Falls, New York. In 1978 the neighborhood included about 800 homes, 240 low-income apartments, and the 99th Street Elementary School. The neighborhood was located over and around a landfill that had been active in earlier decades. Love Canal – some history The canal was to be built in the 1890s for ship navigation, but it was never completed. Early 1900s: the unfinished canal was used for swimming and boating. The land was sold in 1920 and became a municipal and industrial dump site. From 1942 to 1953, Hooker Chemical dumped about 21,000 tons of ‘toxic chemicals” at the site. The Love Canal area in 1927. The arrow points to the canal. Love Canal – some history In 1953 the landfill was covered with layers of dirt. The Niagara Falls Board of Education bought the site from Hooker Chemical. As the city started to grow into the area, the 99th Street Elementary School was built over the landfill, and homes were built around the site. Love Canal – some history From the late 1950s into the 1970s, residents reported foul odors and complained that “substances” were seeping into their basements, yards, and the school playground. The city assisted by covering up the seeping “substances.” Tests found high levels of PCB’s in storm sewers and toxic chemicals in wells. Love Canal Love Canal in 1980 Love Canal: Environmental Damages Reports suggested that there was an unusually high rate of birth defects and miscarriages among Love Canal families. In 1980 the EPA announced that chromosome damage had been found in 11 out of 36 residents tested in the area