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Learning Objectives Give a brief explanation of the Love Canal
Disaster. Pick two (2) toxins that were released from
the landfill and list their health effects. What are the difference between our
landfills today and the way the landfill was constructed/maintained in the Love Canal Disaster.
Explain CERCLA. How long after a landfill is finished can you
build on it?
It started out as a bid for hydroelectricity…
Back in the 1890’s…
William T. LoveVery ambitious
entrepreneur
Niagara Falls, NYRapidly growing city○ Harness water’s power!
Model City/shipping lane○ Lots of expectations!
Project abandoned Only a few houses and streets built
and a small section of the canal dug before Love ran out of $$1 mile long50 ft wide, 10-40 ft deep
Became local recreation area
Sold, sold, & sold again! Sold to the city in 1920’s
City dump site Hooker Chemicals & Plastics in 1942
Granted permission to use the canalDumped over 21,000 tons of chemical
wastes over 10 years. Niagara Falls Board of Education in
1953Needed land, like BAD.
Hooker Chemicals & Plastics Needed a place to dump their trash. Drained the canal, lined it with clay.
Filled it with 55gal barrels○ Halogenated organics, pesticides,
chlorobenzenes and dioxin, etc…○ Buried 20-25 ft.
Bought the land in 1947 Once full, “covered” with clay and
soil and grass grew.Wanted to sell the land.
Niagara Falls BOE Rapidly growing district
Sought the land next to the canal Hooker Co. wouldn’t sell the land
BOE got dirty (eminent domain) Bought 70+ acres of land for $1
Hooker Corp. made sure to protect themselves in the deed negotiated
Built school over the canal and homes on adjacent land
Elementary school, homes, expressway...
Found barrels during excavation at original school siteMoved location ~85ft to the North
During first year, 25ft area of land crumbled revealing buried barrels
Broke thru the clay barrier when constructing residential sewers
LaSalle Expressway cut off groundwater from reaching Niagara RiverBoth good and bad
The results…Chronology In 1976, two reporters for the Niagara Gazette, David
Pollak and David Russell, tested several sump-pumps near Love Canal and found toxic chemicals in them
The matter went quiet for more than a year and was resurrected by reporter Michael Brown, who then investigated potential health effects by carrying forth an informal door-to-door survey in the early summer of 1978, finding birth defects and many anomalies.
The New York State Health Department followed suit and found an abnormal incidence of miscarriages.
Government official show little interest in the matter. Love Canal Homeowners' Association was founded
Love Canal Homeowners Association
The results…Chronology The lack of public interest in Love Canal
made matters worse for the homeowners' association, which now battled two organizations who were spending vast amounts of money to disprove negligence.
Following survey of multiple hideous birth defects and reports of cancer, New York State Health Commissioner, Robert Whalen declares a state of emergency exists at the Love Canal and orders closing of 99th Street School and evacuation of pregnant women and children under the age of two. (1978)
President Jimmy Carter approves emergency financial aid for the area
Jimmy Carter
Niagara Falls Mayor Michael O'Laughlin, President Jimmy Carter and New York
Governor Hugh Carey
The results…Chronology November 10, 1978 200 tons of dioxin, a
lethal chemical are reported buried in the canal and over 200 chemical compounds are identified as being buried in the canal. Residents fears heighten.
Report of this find and refusal to continue evacuation lead to fierce protest
The results…Chronology At first, scientific studies did not conclusively
prove that the chemicals were responsible for the residents' illnesses, and scientists were divided on the issue, even though eleven known or suspected carcinogens had been identified, one of the most prevalent being benzene. There was also dioxin (polychlorinated dibenzodioxins) in the water, a very hazardous substance. Dioxin pollution is usually measured in parts per trillion; at Love Canal, water samples showed dioxin levels of 53 parts per billion
Toxic chemicals
The results…Chronology After a long hard battle, in April 1979 EPA
approves $4 million for remedial work at the Love Canal. City receives $1 million in Federal Disaster Assistance Administration funds
EPA announces creation of a special task force to aid in identification and clean-up of toxic waste sites
The government relocated more than 800 families and reimbursed them for their homes,
EPA @ work, FINALLY
EPA truck in the foreground cleaning the playground of the 99th street school. School can
be seen in background
Abandoned Love Canal home with EPA monitoring
unit
The results…Chronology Congress passed the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), or the Superfund Act in 1980, that holds polluters accountable for their damages.
Hooker Chemical was found negligent, but not reckless, in its handling of the waste and sale of the land to the Niagara Falls School Board.
So, What happened? The dumpsite was not properly
covered. Lots of rain. No leachate pool Leachate seep through the soil into
people’s yard, groundwater, basements
First chemical seepage into basement reported in 1959. Evacuation in 1979. 20 YEARS LATER????
You don’t want to live there!
So, What happened? Despite the disclaimer by Hooker
Chemical (not very surprising name), the 99th St. School was built
Upon discovery of the waste during excavation, the site was moved ONLY 80ft North
1955, school completed, playground collapsed, exposing chemicals. Mixed with rainwater, puddle created. Children play in “puddle”.
So, What happened? City tries to build underground sewage system
for rainwater. Construction broke the clay cover
More waste chemical seep Resident unaware of canal history. Not
included in contract. Therefore, no monitoring and further
evaluation Clay crack LaSalle Expressway construction cut off
groundwater from reaching Niagara River. Dump site flooded
Puddle of chemical emerge in yard Everything goes amiss from there
Why It happened? Signs were, for the most part, ignored. Low income, lower class families.
Government ignored their plea Of course, disregard to human life and
future generation Trees were dying, leaves turning black Swimming pool floating away Puddles of chemicals found in people’s
yard. They did little about it The choking smell It wasn’t until 20yrs after the first
signs that the town was evacuated
Barrels rising out of the clay
So, what are the chemicals found Over 80 compounds in total we
isolated, among themCompound Acute Effects Chronic Effectsbenzene Narcosis
Skin irritantAcute leukemiaAplastic anemiaPancytopeniaChronic lymphatic leukemiaLymphomas (probable)
toluene Narcosis (more powerfulthan benzene)
Anemia (possible)Leukopenia (possible)
benzoic acid Skin irritant lindane Convulsions
High white cell counts
trichloroethylene Central nervous depressionSkin irritantLiver damage
Paralysis of fingersRespiratory and cardiac arrestVisual defectsDeafness
dibromoethane Skin irritant benzaldehydes Allergen methylene chloride Anesthesia (increased carboxy
hemoglobin)Respiratory distressDeath
carbon tetrachloride NarcosisHepatitisRenal damage
Liver tumors (possible)
chloroform Central nervous narcosisSkin irritantRespiratory irritantGastrointestinal symptoms
Impact of the ChemicalsMaternal
AgeNumber of Pregnancies
Number ofMiscarriages
Observed
<20 2 020-24 13 025-29 28 330-34 19 635-39 15 8All Ages 77 17
Table II Maternal Age and Number of Miscarriages (Observed and Expected*) Among Residents of the Love Canal
Even though 17 miscarriages don’t seem too much, remember this is a small community. That’s 22% miscarriages in a very short time. Type of Malformation Sex
Date of Birth
Medication,Radiation
duringpregnancy
Cleft palate, deformed ears and teeth, hearing defect, mental retardation, heart defect
F 11/68 No
Abnormalities of renal pelvis and reflux ureters
F 4/75 No
Mental retardation (autistic) F 1/66 NoCongenital deafness M 2/66 NoClub foot M 1/58 No
TABLE IV Documented Congenital Malformations Among Children From the Love Canal
Some of the major birth defects documented at Love Canal
AFTERMATH EPA addressed the Site in 6 stages:
Landfill Containment w/ leachate collection, treatment, and disposal
Excavation & Interim storage of the sewer & creek sediments
Final treatment and disposal of the sewer and creek sediments and other Love Canal waste
Remediation of the 93rd Street School soilsEDA home maintenance and technical
assistance by the Love Canal Area Revitalization Agency (LCARA)
Buyout of homes and other properties in the EDA by LCARA
Dioxins Polychlorinated
dibenzodioxins (PCDDs), or simply dioxins, are a group of polyhalogenated compounds which are significant because they act as environmental pollutants. They are known mutagens, and suspected human carcinogens
INITIAL ACTIONS 1978
System installed to collect leachate from the site
Landfill area was covered and fencedLeachate treatment plant was
constructed 1981
EPA conducted environmental studies
LANDFILL CONTAINMENTLANDFILL CONTAINMENT 1982
Barrier drain and a leachate collection system constructed by EPA
The temporary clay cap was covered with synthetic material to prevent rainwater from entering landfill
Houses adjacent to landfill and school were demolished
LANDFILL CONTAINMENT 1985
NYSDEC installed 40 acre cap on landfill
Improvements made on the leachate collection and treatment system
New leachate treatment facility constructed
SEWERS & CREEKS 1985-1989
Sewers and the Black Creek culverts were hydraulically cleaned
Removal and dispersal of contaminated sediments from Black Creek and Bergholtz Creek (Dredging)○ 14,000 cubic yards of sediments removed
Sewers inspected for defects that could allow contaminants to migrate
68,200 linear feet of storm and sanitary sewers were cleaned
THERMAL TREATMENT OF SEWER AND CREEK
SEDIMENTS 1987 – EPA addressed the destruction and
disposal of the dioxin-contaminated soil On-site facility to dewater and contain
sediments Separate facility to treat the dewatered
contaminants and leachate treatment facility residuals by high-temperature thermal destruction
All contaminated soil was removed from 93rd Street School property; building was demolished
HOME MAINTENANCE Federal government and State of
New York purchased affected properties in the EDA
EPA provided funds for the rehabilitation of the site
Since rehabilitation program began:Approximately 260 homes soldSenior citizen housing development
CLEANUP PROGRESS 1988
EPA issued Love Canal EDA Habitability Study
Study conclusions:○ Areas 1-3 of the EDA, not suitable for
habitation without remediation, but may be used for commercial and/or industrial purposes
○ Areas 4-7 of the EDA may be used for residential purposes
CLEANUP PROGRESS Quantities of Love Canal waste
materials (2008)Total sewer and creek sediment wastes○ 38,900 cubic yards at 1.6 tons/cubic yard
= 62,240 tonsOther debris and waste○ 21,167 pounds
Spent Carbon Filter Wastes○ 30,080 pounds
CLEANUP PROGRESS Numerous Cleanup
ActivitiesLandfill containmentLechate collection
and treatmentRemoval and
disposition of contaminated sewer and creek sediments
Site is deemed safe for surrounding residents and the environment
CLEANUP PROGRESS Revitalization
New homeowners have repopulated areas of the site deemed habitable
260+ formerly-abandoned homes have been rehabilitated and sold to new residents
September 2008○ 5-year review report issued by EPA
2004○ Love Canal removed from National Priorities
list
PROPER LANDFILL CLOSURE
Plan for eventual site use before landfill is constructed and operated
Critical factors to plan for:Settlement○ Approx. 90% occurs in first 5 years○ May continue for 25 or more years at a
slower rateFoundation characteristicsControl of leachate and gasVegetationFinal grade
SITE CLOSURE CHECKLIST
Pre-planning Prepare site drainage
plan Identify final site
topographic plan 3 months before
closure Schedule closing date Notify regulatory
agencies and site users Closure
Place cover over exposed waste
Post signs indicating site closure and alt. disposal sites
3 months after closureComplete needed
drainage control features
Complete gas collection or venting system, leachate containment facilities, and gas or groundwater monitoring devices
Place earth cover over landfill
Establish vegetative cover
BUILDING ON LANDFILL Major design
considerations:Consolidation-time-
settlement relationships
Load-bearing capacity
Placement of sewer, water, electric, and gas utilities
Gas-venting techniques
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?WHERE ARE THEY NOW? HOOKER CHEMICAL’S & PLASTICS
RENAMED - OCCIDENTAL CHEMICAL CORPORATION
Links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_Canal#cite_note-Zuesse-LoveCanal-9 http://www.eoearth.org/article/Love_Canal,_New_York http://www.ucc.org/god-is-still-speaking/images/firsts/love-canal.jpg http://library.buffalo.edu/specialcollections/lovecanal/about/
background.php http://www.wnylegacy.org/cdm4/collection_p15004coll2.php?CISOROOT=/
p15004coll2 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occidental_Petroleum#Love_Canal http://www.onlineethics.org/cms/9721.aspx http://www.onlineethics.org/cms/6532.aspx http://www.epa.gov/history/topics/lovecanal/01.htm http://library.buffalo.edu/specialcollections/lovecanal/about/chronology.php http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_Canal http://www.bvsde.paho.org/bvsair/e/repindex/repi49-50/lesson10/
lesson10.html http://www.epa.gov/region02/superfund/npl/0201290c.pdf