After 9/11 the EPA told emergency workers and others at the World Trade Center that the air quality was good. The EPA said their was nothing to worry about for emergency services personal and others working at the site.
Fast forward to a few years after 9/11 and dozens of people who spent time at the World Trade Center site began to become ill with all sorts of respiratory illnesses. Oops, the EPA lied. But no biggie for EPA because the individuals who worked for EPA during that time are either long gone or insulated as they work for a government agency. The poor folks who believed EPA are left to die or be sick and have had to go to court to try to gain compensation. And we all know how that goes.
So now we have the disaster in the Gulf and the EPA is at it again. This time they're
But, the EPA says the air quality is safe. They say that there are no unhealthy levels of benzene, which comes from the oil, or Corexit, a oil dispersant, in or around the Gulf.
And when people around the Gulf begin to suffer the long term effects of exposure to benzene, which is a known carcinogen, or Corexit, BP will be long gone. The only recourse anyone will have will be to sue British Petroleum. Oh, did I mention that Alaskans who sued Exxon back in 1989 after the Valdez spill are still in court.
Lisa JacksonShame on you EPA head Lisa Jackson, I really expected better from you. These lies are going to be your legacy. Just as the lies told by the former EPA head Christie Todd Whitman after 9/11 are her legacy.
4 comments:
Unfortunately, like many other regulatory agencies, the EPA has been co-opted by private industry. Of course we shouldn't forget that both Reagan and Bush really tried to gut the EPA. It'll take them awhile to get over eight years of Republican rule.
@?
Yep, that's the problem. EPA doesn't work for us anymore it works for big business. And when stuff happens, like the spill, it becomes painfully obvious.
Jackson, based on her qualifications, is the right person for the job. I don't know what's going on!! But maybe she doesn't know either.
@CO
I want to stick up for her too. But it's really hard when the EPA is telling outright lies.
She ought to quit if her position is powerless. That's what a person with integrity would do. Don't you think?
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