Copy of Copy of Copy of End of Year Webs

Protect Your Neighbors

Protect Your Neighbors.

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Residents near the Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill have been burdened by landfill fires, horrible smells, and persistent sludge on roadways and on their vehicles. While mud may not sound like a major issue, it becomes much more serious when that mud tests for radioactive materials. Even more concerning is this material washes into streams and other waterways. Imagine washing mud off your car only to learn that it’s radioactive!

The Impact:

 “My only enjoyment was sitting outside on the porch. I can’t even do that because of the smell. My quality of life is terrible. I have no quality of life here. I’m an asthmatic. So are half my neighbors. We can’t open our windows to get fresh air. We’re prisoners in our own house. And how high are they going to build that mountain of garbage? I pray everyday that they close, for our children’s sake."
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- Local Resident

Earlier this year, the Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill submitted a plan for approval to evaporate 45,000 gallons of leachate per day. Permitting the evaporation of leachate containing shale gas drilling waste would set a dangerous precedent for other landfills in Westmoreland County and throughout the state. If this facility is built the toxicity and radioactivity will concentrate and be thousands fold higher (potentially tens of millions of picocuries of radioactivity).

Air pollution is not our only concern. Evaporating leachate leaves residue behind. This residue would contain concentrated amounts of Strontium and other toxins. Due to the landfill site accepting fracking waste, some of these compounds are radioactive like radium-226. This could significantly impact sanitary workers who are exposed to these concentrated amounts of toxic and radioactive waste. Leftover residue from evaporation must be stored in proper containers to minimize damage to residents’ health.

© 2020 by ProtectPT.