Landfill sites are not just pretty ugly, the sight of
increasing piles of waste and the associated health problems has become a major
concern. Many materials including electronic waste (Television and Computers) dumped
on the landfills contain toxic substance, (Mercury, Arsenic, cadmium, PVC,
Solvents, acid and lead), overtime these toxins decay and leak into our soil
and groundwater, eventually became environmental hazards for years.
In a fraudulent clean up scandal, the Bayview Hunter’s Point
(BVHP) Residents filled a $27 billion class-action Lawsuit against the fraudulent
contractor, contending that the data falsification resulted in radioactive soil
being left behind at the Shipyard, as well as chronic health problem suffered
by the residents.
The continuous presence of Landfills in the BVHP of SF, the
falsification of toxins cleans up data and the failure of the regulatory agency
to follow-up, constitute environmental racism and injustice. Health care
providers has responsibility in providing environmental health education to
their clients, and join their community’s advocacy, the activist and
whistleblowers to campaign against environmental air and water pollution.
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ReplyDeleteBVHP is a perfect example of environmental, economic, and social racism; and is a stain on SF's history. I wonder how many members of the Board of Supervisors would opt to raise their families there?
ReplyDeleteThat being said, it is very much a tangle of agencies at different levels of government. The Navy should be fully liable for leaving the site as they found it (uncontaminated), particularly in light of the areas inclusion in a heavily urbanized environment.
The issues in BVHP are also not helped by the location of the city's main refuse processing facility on Tunnel Ave.
Also, as healthcare providers we are indeed an integral part of the battle against such injustice as we can bring to bear the full weight of Evidence-Based Practice and Research.
Thanks Chika!!
The BVHP is a good example of environmental racism and injustice. In this case, would not the city of SF and the Naval shipyard to pay for the clean-up? I like David's aciculate sarcasm :) about the Board of Supervisors families choosing to live BVHP area. I guess the only avenue health care providers can offer these disadvantaged citizens is to be an advocate and activist for a healthier environment. The long and short-term health effects for these individuals are undoubtably grave.
ReplyDelete