Mass Water Contamination In The Midwest: River Cities Downstream Of WV Chemical Catastrophe Preparing To Shut Water Systems Down (Video and Pics)

by Monica Davis

Environmental activist Erin Brockovich came to Charleston at the request of hundreds of residents who fear the after effects of a chemical spill into the Elk River at Charleston, WV.

Some mainstream news outlets are either soft peddling or ignoring the injuries and are concentrating on how “smelly” or “discolored:” the water is. And they certainly aren’t talking about the chemical burns and irritations people are going to the hospital for.

The notification of the spill didn’t even  come from the company, whose tanks leaked into the river.  People discovered the catastrophe after citizens complained of funny tasting water.

Between the burns, eye and nose irritations and fear, standing in long lines at water trucks sent some peope over the edge. Disorderly conduct and trouble at  a water distribution site sent one man to jail..  See this article.

What a lot of people are missing is the fact that not a whole lot is known about this chemical. A special test had to be developed to test the water for the contamnant. So, despite officials saying the chemical levels in the water are “safe”, not much is known about it and there are no health studies on it–essentially, nobody can say it is safe.

This obscure chemical, 4-methylcyclohexane methanol, or MCHM, was causing real health problems as the spill unfolded. Hundreds of residents reported health concerns such as nausea, and at least 10 people have been hospitalized. And it became clear just how little we know about the health risks this chemical poses — there’s not even a single publicly available health study on it.

That particular tank that leaked hadn’t been inspected for 25 years.

While many think dilution will solve the problem, water systems down river are taking no chances.

Media reports say Cincinnati and Evansville, two cities on the Ohio River, are shutting down their water systems to allow the contaminant to flow downstream. News reports say , “Mayor John Cranley announced Monday that the valves will be shut down for at least 20 hours beginning Tuesday night. Cranley says that will allow the water to pass the city without any chemicals entering the drinking supply.”

Meanwhile, Evansville, Indiana officials–the largest Indiana city in the path of this chemical spill, are being proactive as well. They are staying in contact with the Coast Guard for the duration of the catastrophe.