Risks of Chemical Waste Love Canal Risks of Chemical Waste

Dangers of Toxic Waste This case brought awareness of environmental issues related to chemical disposal. Read the articles provided by teacher Create a timeline of events from the article.

A man named William Love wanted to create hydro-electric power near Niagara Falls by digging a ditch (canal) between the 2 rivers. The project ran out of money before it was completed. What was left was just a big hole in the ground. It started as a dream in 1910

From Dream to Nightmare 1920’s the canal was turned into a municipal and industrial chemical dumpsite. The Hooker Chemical Company began using the abandoned canal as a chemical disposal dump in the 1930’s. Between 1942-1953 Hooker Chemical buried 22,000 tons of chemical wastes in barrels.

1950’s -- A Good Buy? 1953- When the site was filled, it was covered over with dirt and sold to the city for $1. Late 50’s -100 homes and a school were built at the site.

1960’s The Crisis Begins Karen Schroeder, 2nd generation resident of the Love Canal community, gave birth to her third child on November 21, 1968.

Birth Defects …The baby, Sheri, was born with a hole in her heart, which beat irregularly. She also had bony growths blocking her nose partial deafness, deformed ears cleft palate mentally retarded 2 rows of teeth on lower jaw Enlarged liver

This isn’t baby Sheri but these are babies with a cleft palate.

1970’s – Nightmare . Trees and gardens were turning black and dying Puddles of noxious substances in their yards and basements and on the school grounds The air had a faint, choking smell. Children returned from play with burns on their hands and faces.

rainfall, leaching began. 1970’s – Nightmare After record amount of rainfall, leaching began. Corroding waste-disposal drums could be seen breaking up through the grounds of backyards. One entire swimming pool had been popped up from its foundation, afloat now on a small sea of chemicals.

Chemicals coming up after lots of rain.

Late 70’s – Getting Help October 1976- Niagara Gazette reports harm to humans, pets & plant life. EPA and county health dept began to take notice and test soil, water, air & take blood samples from residents.

1978 – More Help August 1st – leading story in New York Times State commissioner declared a state of emergency- closed school & ordered evacuation. (pregnant women and babies evacuated first)

http://distanceunreal. comxa. com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/lovecanal http://distanceunreal.comxa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/lovecanal.jpg

1979 – Calling on the Law U.S. Rep. Al Gore (Dem-Tennessee) charges in 1979 that the tragedy had been avoidable. Publicized memo from 1958 describing burns. First lawsuits were filed.

Lesson Learned Dangers of Toxic Waste the country learned about one of the worst environmental disasters and the disastrous impact of chemicals on the environment & human health.

References EPA website: http://www.epa.gov/history/topics/lovecanal/01.htm http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2008/11/dayintech_1121 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_Canal