LOOPHOLES IN IOWA POLLUTION LAWS
by Molly Regan

Loopholes…Loopholes…Loopholes. Bad little areas of the law that just happen to allow all kinds of things to slip through. ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRITY PROJECT released a report saying:  “At least 29 states have loopholes in their laws that allow “accidental” pollution emissions to exceed federal CLEAN AIR ACT limits, while many other states simply choose not to take enforcement against industrial facilities for such emissions” that include BENZENE, BUTADIENE and other CANCER-CAUSING CHEMICALS.

IOWA is one of those 29 states.

OIL REFINERIES are some of the culprits.  Is there a refinery near you?  Do you drive by one on the way to work?  One woman who lives in Ohio close to one stated for the ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRITY PROJECT: “I used to work across the street from a Sunoco refinery.  I now have HEART ARRHYTHMIA and CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY.  We found nine people in a two-block area around the refinery with MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS.  Something is obviously wrong.  We know emissions from the refinery are affecting our health, but we can’t even get basic information from the state about what is being emitted.  We’re at least entitled to know what we’re breathing”.

The great work that the ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRITY PROJECT  has taken on was started in 2002 by Eric Schaeffer.  He had previously been with the ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY as part of their OFFICE OF REGULATORY ENFORCEMENT. “He resigned after publicly expressing his frustration with efforts of the Bush administration to weaken enforcement of the CLEAR AIR ACT and other laws”….KUDOS TO YOU, ERIC SCHAEFFER!

This non-partisan, non-profit organization’s August 2004 report goes on to indicate that according to a woman in Texas who lives near an industrial area: "HEART DEFECTS IN BABIES in our area occur at TWO TO SIX TIMES THE STATE REGISTRY RATE”.  Her grandbaby was born with a heart defect, and when she sees the pollution she asks, “ How is this affecting my family’s health?  How is this affecting my community?  How sick must we be before someone pays attention?”

Another woman in California admits: “You can sometimes smell a terrible odor and feel a nasty taste in your mouth, but I’m just as concerned at all the things I can’t see that I know are occurring on a daily basis!”

For further information on this report and to view their RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACTION, go to:
environmentalintegrity.org/pub238.cfm to see the press release from AUGUST 18, 2004.

So, “What now?” you may ask.  To be sure, the first thing that would really show you are serious about making an impact, is to make a change in your behavior.  For example, sit down and make a list of ways to CUT DOWN ON PETROLEUM PRODUCT USE.  This may be a very long list, because you may be unaware of the extensive use that these products play in our lives.

That case holding your computer innards in one place is probably plastic (Petroleum Based), the oil keeping your vehicle lubed is Petroleum Based, your glasses sitting on your nose may be, that new lawn set you’ll look at in a catalogue soon, and even the little ball bearings making your child’s newest toy so much fun may all be Petroleum Based.  

So where does a person go to find products that are less dangerous to create?  One place to start is www.patagonia.com to find much information about becoming a more BENEVOLENT, LESS POLLUTION-CONTRIBUTING CONSUMER.

Another suggestion to help clean up the air, is to report any sightings of an industry spewing colorful, toxic smelling agents into our air.  We all should seriously change how we get from place to place, too, as well as share that new-found information with others.  It could not only save you some money and possibly make you new friends, but may also save lungs and hearts and lives.

Let us not forget to CPR…CONSERVE/PARTICIPATE/RECYCLE