Toxicologist Skeptical Of Early Animas River Reports, Metals Are ‘Long Term Poisons’

[Purveyor]

August 12, 2015 8:22 AM

DENVER (CBS4) – After the Gold King Mine spilled three million gallons of waste water into the Animas River, experts are concerned about the health of the river as well as the health of residents.

People who live along the Animas River could be ingesting the contaminated water in any number of ways, from drinking it to showering in it, and the fear is how much exposure those people have had.

Scientists fear effects from the yellow plume of waste water could linger well after the river regains its natural color.

“Remember, this is mine waste, it’s heavy. It’s going to sink to the bottom of these streams, it’s going to get into the layer at the bottom,” said Dr. Dan Teitlebaum.

Teitlebaum is a toxicologist who says the elements in the water can pose the risk of illness. The waters were loaded in lead, copper, cadmium, and arsenic, some of which can cause cancers in prolonged exposures.

“They’re a problem because they’re long-term poisons. And low levels consumed over a long period of time create serious problems, particularly arsenic, produce very serious problems,” said Teitlebaum.

more...

http://denver.cbslocal.com/2015/08/12/toxicologist-skeptical-of-early-animas-river-reports-metals-are-long-term-poisons/

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

1. I love how the EPA is getting the blame for this from a lot of folks.

Corporations dump millions of gallons of toxic waste, leaving it sitting around, and when the EPA comes in to assess whether or not it's safe, it breaks free because it was never properly dealt with in the first place.

It's like blaming somebody who pokes at a rusted, corroded toxic waste barrel when it gives way and spills crap everywhere, despite the fact that even without the poke, it probably would have broken within a few more months.

[phantom power]

3. This is the game conservatives have been playing (and winning) for 40 years

Undermine government programs and agencies at every opportunity, and then win elections by telling people that "big government doesn't work"

As a political strategy, it has worked very very very very very well.

[Shandris]

5. It seems the media wants to help them yet again.

Now they're making up entire predictions about this thing.

http://www.examiner.com/article/epa-accused-of-plan-for-superfund-blitzkrieg-at-gold-king-mine-spill

Don't they realize we all have to live on the same planet?

[LanternWaste]

2. I believe both Silverton and San Juan resisted being listed as a Superfund site for some time

I believe both Silverton and San Juan resisted being listed as a Superfund site for some time now out of concern the designation would (wait for it) reduce additional capital investment from mining companies, strangling federal cleanup attempts in Silverton since the 1990s when leakage from abandoned mines releasing toxic minerals into the water system was first reported by the EPA as a major regional concern.

[Zorra]

4. It is time to end the reign of the greedy, filthy, imperialist capitalist oligarchs

forever.

This constant poisoning of our Mother Earth is INSANE and heartbreaking and spirit crushing.

[truedelphi]

6. It is a totally insane policy, supported by the Corporatists in both

Parties.

And thank Goddess we have Sanders running so once elected, he will stop these practices.