Uniontown is a small rural community located in southwest Alabama twenty-five miles from Selma. Eighty-eight percent of the population is black with a per capita income of $8268. Current unemployment runs sixty to seventy percent.In my last post I wrote about the approval of the EPA to allow the TVA to transport coal ash from Kingston, Tenneesse to the Arrowhead Landfill in Uniontown.
A study just released from Duke University researchers suggests exposure to dust and river sediment containing toxic metals and radioactivity from the Kingston ash could pose health risks. The study shows samples from the spill contains radium, arsenic, and mercury. An August 15 study in the journal Environmental Science & Technology states: "high probability the dry ash containing fine particles enriched with these elements will be in the air as dust and could have a severe health impact on individuals who come in contact with it".I have just returned from Uniontown. Here is the story of its people and their "unheard voices" regarding the impact of coal ash being dumped into and onto their community.
be strong, be safe, Carlan
The fact that I am the first person to comment here should tell you something: it is the reasoning behind the decision makers seeking to use a small economically disadvantaged town as dumping grounds, hoping that no one would react in a way that could change this course of violent action.
ReplyDeleteIt hurts my heart to read this, as it hurts my heart to speak to the people who from the very first mention of the plan were not deceived by the dangers of the coal ash despite leaderships' insistence on maintaining that health risks were minimal. It hurts that this is the first action that I have taken in the cause to protect the health of the people there as well as the well being of the town itself.
I was born in Uniontown Alabama and my grandparents and many other family members still reside there.
I thank you very much for your contribution, thank you for spreading these quiet, back room dealings.
Quincy Flowers