Monday, November 8, 2010

Chemical Plants Near Your Home May Be Harmful

 Article I, Vol I

     Recently, a chemical plant on Dill Road in Suffolk,Virginia burned down. A picture of the burning plant was published in the Suffolk News Herald (12/07/09). When I saw that picture I immediately thought of  many of the people who lived near that plant who had died of cancer or suffered with cancer. I instantly thought of eight  cancer victims who died. Two sisters who lived within a 100 yards of the plant died at a very young age 2009. Then I thought of many more who became sick and remained sick for a long period of time.
    
     Did the chemical plant have anything to do with these people death and sickness?
    
     When this question was raised in the neighborhood, citizens advised me to just let it be-because they did not have anywhere else to go.  Sadly, this is the feeling among the citizens.  During the 30 plus years the plant was operating in the community, to my knowledge, no official protest of substance was ever lodged.
    
     A gentleman, who I know only as Nebo recalled that the fumes were noticeable in the 60s and 70s, but they were not as noticeable when the plant caught on fire.  The lack of smell does not mean the chemicals are not emitting into the air.Think of a cup of strong black coffee. Add cream and sugar and the taste is so much better. Similar, add some perfumes to the deadly chemicals and a person may not smell the chemicals at all as they emit into the air. Please understand, chemicals kill softly over a period of time. But they do kill.

    My suggestion is, if you grew up near a chemical plant you need to get checked out.  Don't take the city or county officials word that it is okay.  Generally, they are not going to say these plants are safe for the environment, without a qualifying word - such as "probably, maybe, or perhaps- to ease your mind.

    In summary, I recommend citizens come together and fight to keep chemical plants out of their neighborhoods.

    Need I say the neighborhoods that you will find chemical plants operating?

   
Copyrights 2010 Grady E. Bryant, Sr.  All Rights Reserved.
    
    
   

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