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NEWS & LETTERS, August - September 2009
Constant toxic danger
Williston, S.C.--A toxic fog of ammonia leaked from the Tanner Industries plant near Swansea, S.C., on July 15, killing Jacqueline Patrice Ginyard, 38, sending seven people to hospitals and prompting evacuation of nearby homes.
It brought back memories of Jan. 6, 2005, in Graniteville, S.C., when two trains derailed, releasing 90 tons of chlorine gas. Nine people died, at least 250 were made sick, and 5,400 residents within a mile of the crash site were forced to evacuate for nearly two weeks.
These dangers are all across South Carolina. Toxic waste sites are most harmful to our children and our elderly. Out of sight, out of mind. The people of Williston, 20 to 30 miles from both Swansea and Graniteville, live their lives in constant danger. The contaminated Savannah River nuclear site, Vogtle nuclear power plant and many others are close to Williston. Until the Department of Health and Environmental Control or Region IV Environmental Protection Agency steps up to educate these people on the dangers of these chemicals and radiation, most people in Williston, as well as many in South Carolina, live in darkness. Many do not understand that 20 to 30 miles is next door. We live in a Third World country environment.
--African-American correspondent
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