many of these chemicals, particularly over long periods of time at low exposure
levels, is largely unknown.
One of the most widely known episodes related to disposal of hazardous
wastes is that of Love Canal, an abandoned canal bed near Niagara Falls in the
state of New York (see Case Study 2.3).
CASE STUDY 2.3
In the1940s and 1950s, Hooker Chemical & Plastics Corporation dumped over
23,000 t of chemical wastes into the Love Canal landfill.
14 After the canal was
filled and covered with earth, the land was transferred to the city of Niagara
Falls. Homes and a school were then built on the edge of the old canal and the
area of covered chemicals became a playground. In 1968, Occidental Chemical
(OxyChem) purchased Hooker Chemical Company. In 1977, black oily fluids
oozed from the ground in the vicinity of the canal. The fluids were subsequently
identified as a mixture of potent chlorinated hydrocarbons. Children attending
the school showed unusual health problems, such as skin rashes, chemical burns,
and severe physiological and nervous disorders. Furthermore, unusually high
numbers of miscarriages and birth defects were noted. A lawsuit amounting to
nearly $3 billion in health claims was then filed against the city of Niagara Falls.
Eventually, the state purchased and demolished about 100 homes in the area
and state officials evacuated 500 houses in 1978. Federal and state crews cleaned
up the landfill and surrounding contaminated areas. Litigation followed
between New York State and OxyChem. In 1994, OxyChem and the state
finally agreed to settle their conflicting claims stemming from the incidence.
(Remediation of the land eventually took place, followed by resettlement of the
area. By 1994, nearly 70% of the 280 available houses had been sold. A survey
showed that about 30% of the purchasers had been residents in the area before
the evacuation.)
14
2.2 THE CHANGING DISEASE PATTERN
Associated with the changes in the environment are the changing pattern and
distribution of diseases or health effects. For instance, at the turn of the
century, pneumonia and tuberculosis were the two leading causes of death in
most countries, including the U.S. Because of improved sanitation and public
health measures, coupled with advancement in medicines and technology,
tuberculosis and other contagious diseases have largely been eradicated. In
place of these relatively straightforward illnesses, however, are diseases that are
more complex and have multiple causes, including chronic heart diseases,
chronic respiratory diseases, and malignant neoplasms or cancers. It is widely
known that, since about 1950, cancer and diseases of the heart have become the
two leading causes of deaths in the U.S. Importantly, these diseases, as well as
chronic lower respiratory diseases and chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, are
considered environmentally related (Table 2.1).
15
20
Environmental Toxicology
[16:55 26/8/04 P:/CRC PRESS/4365 MING-HO.751 (1670)/4365-002.3d]
Ref: 4365 MING-HO YU Chap-002 Page: 20 13-30
levels, is largely unknown.
One of the most widely known episodes related to disposal of hazardous
wastes is that of Love Canal, an abandoned canal bed near Niagara Falls in the
state of New York (see Case Study 2.3).
CASE STUDY 2.3
In the1940s and 1950s, Hooker Chemical & Plastics Corporation dumped over
23,000 t of chemical wastes into the Love Canal landfill.
14 After the canal was
filled and covered with earth, the land was transferred to the city of Niagara
Falls. Homes and a school were then built on the edge of the old canal and the
area of covered chemicals became a playground. In 1968, Occidental Chemical
(OxyChem) purchased Hooker Chemical Company. In 1977, black oily fluids
oozed from the ground in the vicinity of the canal. The fluids were subsequently
identified as a mixture of potent chlorinated hydrocarbons. Children attending
the school showed unusual health problems, such as skin rashes, chemical burns,
and severe physiological and nervous disorders. Furthermore, unusually high
numbers of miscarriages and birth defects were noted. A lawsuit amounting to
nearly $3 billion in health claims was then filed against the city of Niagara Falls.
Eventually, the state purchased and demolished about 100 homes in the area
and state officials evacuated 500 houses in 1978. Federal and state crews cleaned
up the landfill and surrounding contaminated areas. Litigation followed
between New York State and OxyChem. In 1994, OxyChem and the state
finally agreed to settle their conflicting claims stemming from the incidence.
(Remediation of the land eventually took place, followed by resettlement of the
area. By 1994, nearly 70% of the 280 available houses had been sold. A survey
showed that about 30% of the purchasers had been residents in the area before
the evacuation.)
14
2.2 THE CHANGING DISEASE PATTERN
Associated with the changes in the environment are the changing pattern and
distribution of diseases or health effects. For instance, at the turn of the
century, pneumonia and tuberculosis were the two leading causes of death in
most countries, including the U.S. Because of improved sanitation and public
health measures, coupled with advancement in medicines and technology,
tuberculosis and other contagious diseases have largely been eradicated. In
place of these relatively straightforward illnesses, however, are diseases that are
more complex and have multiple causes, including chronic heart diseases,
chronic respiratory diseases, and malignant neoplasms or cancers. It is widely
known that, since about 1950, cancer and diseases of the heart have become the
two leading causes of deaths in the U.S. Importantly, these diseases, as well as
chronic lower respiratory diseases and chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, are
considered environmentally related (Table 2.1).
15
20
Environmental Toxicology
[16:55 26/8/04 P:/CRC PRESS/4365 MING-HO.751 (1670)/4365-002.3d]
Ref: 4365 MING-HO YU Chap-002 Page: 20 13-30