Velsicol Chemical Poisons the Pine River

Add this to the list of poisoned waters in Michigan. This kind of bullshit is really starting to piss me off. Every time I hear about some of the ignorant corporate assholes around these parts, I get a little bit angrier.

Associated Press -- ST. LOUIS, Mich. -- High levels of toxins are polluting the Pine River near a chemical plant, according to a report released this week by the state Department of Environmental Quality.

DDT, PBB, benzene and other highly toxic chemicals were found in the river at the site of Velsicol Chemical in St. Louis, Mich., said Murray Borrello, an Alma College professor and member of the Pine River Task Force. The toxins pose a risk to human health. DEQ employee Scott Cornelius told the task force that a study outlining what could be done next will be completed in September 2007. At that time, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the DEQ will decide what action will be taken, but it could take years.

The EPA designated the Velsicol plant and the nearby Gratiot County landfill as Superfund sites in 1983. Since then, numerous investigations and cleanups have been conducted, including the construction of a slurry wall. The river's sediment was transported to an approved hazardous waste dumpsite, but the plant never was cleaned.

Thanks alot Velsicol, you fuckin' jackasses.

Look, maybe it's time we stop putting chemical plants next to drinking water. Who the hell ever said that that was a good idea? I'll do some research into this issue and post more in a few days. This will take some time and energy to write about properly. I don't want to write more until I have a complete understanding of the situation.

If anyone has any background info, send it my way.