PegasusWing's Blog

Scientist used the back yards of Baltimore low income black families to spread sludge, not bothering to tell the families that there was dangerously high levels of bacteria and heavy metal contamination in the sludge, specifically lead, both of which are serious health hazards. Those involved in the “study” for which there was no apparent medical follow up, were given food coupons and new lawns.

 People who live near composted fields and compost facilities suffer mostly often from upper respiratory infection like pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infection, also, eye infections, ear infections, and hepatitis. There are also cases of aspergillosis from the wood mold and some problems with thought disorder from the leads. Older people and young children tend to suffer most because they spend the most hours home.

EPA, funded nearly half million dollars grant for this Baltimore experiment to John Hopkins. While the EPA is heavy handed in enforcing anti- pollution requirements for private industry, they consistently defend their own abuses of the law turning their backs on flagrant violations! While the process for making sludge does kill some of the high levels of pathogens in sludge, it does nothing to eliminate chemicals or heavy metals that can contaminate ground water for centuries.

 The EPA defends their spreading of sludge and “fertilizer” saying that third world countries have used human waste for fertilizer for centuries. The omit mentioning that whole communities are occasionally wiped out by typhoid epidemics.

 This “experiment” brings to mind the “experiments” that the US government did with STD’s on black men after WWII. Men with syphilis infections were studied for long term effects, but never told that they were not treated.  Their lives were destroyed. The US government, more specifically the EPA, unfortunately, has not moved beyond their disregard for our defenseless poor.

It should also be noted that EPA has fought down and dirty to protect composting facilities next to first class neighborhoods. People reported cluster illnesses to the state medical office, which is charged with investigating cluster illnesses, and were turned down for medical investigation of cluster illnesses. EPA finds men with credentials, if not respect, from impressive universities to validate, or testify when necessary to protect  EPA’s right to continue making people sick.

Development should require residential septic systems. They cost the communities less. They return water to the earth.  Nobody wants the sludge or compost.  They usually dump it on farms, which are on well water, eventually contaminating their well water with lead.  People are careful what they dump down their own septic systems. It is best to avoid public sewer systems and the EPA which will go to any lengths to cover their own violations of the law.

Hollywood, you have a battle on your hands.  Our neighbor won.  People died from that crap.  An old man with lung problems, a young teen with diabeties, several neighbors with conjestive heart failure.  They have the bucks and can tax you for more.  Good luck.  Call on me for anything.  I almost lost my daughter at 10.  I use to startle awake in the middle of the night, run up stairs and see if she was still breathing.  We finally took a hit on the house and moved out of the area.  Please note:  We did close down a 6 million dollar facility that they were planning to double in size.