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Environmental activist Erin Brockovich speaks to NY community about effects of Lafarge’s cement plant’s emissions

Sep, 14 2009

(Ravena, New York)  --  Environmental activist Erin Brockovich was in Ravena, NY on Friday, to speak to the community about effects of neighbouring Lafarge’s cement plant’s toxic emissions.



Brockovich works as a consultant for Manhattan-based law firm Weitz and Luxenberg, and was joined by a trio of environmental health experts, to provide information about the dangers of the Lafarge cement plant across the street and how to lessen its impact.

“Tonight is about awareness, and that’s very important because if you are not aware of what’s going on, if you are not being provided information, you cannot protect your family and your health — and those are the greatest gifts you will ever have” Brockovich said. “I don't have all the answers, neither do the attorneys. We are clearly seeing what appears to be a lot of cancers,"

Brockovich came to the area after receiving several e-mails from concerned residents, after several people contracted a rare strain of cancer – human sarcoma – which may be linked to the toxic emissions from Lafarge’s plant. One of them was Kim Gallagher whose son, nephew and sister were all struck with the cancer in their childhood.

"Growing up here, it was always the white elephant in the room. Could it be and could it not be. We just want answers," Gallagher said.

At the moment, Lafarge is being looked at as a possible source, no is pointing the finger yet, but there were three experts on hand to support Brockovich’s effort with scientific evidence and analyses of the toxins emitted by the plant.

According to a toxic release inventory for 2007 put together by the federal Environmental Protection Agency, 174 pounds of mercury, 41,610 pounds of lead, and 100 pounds of arsenic were emitted by the plant in that year. Air pollutants included: 1145 tons of particulates, 14,804 tons of sulphur dioxide, 5,328 tons of nitrogen oxide, 140,000 pounds of ammonia and 120,000 of hydrochloric acid.

These toxins, individually and collectively, can cause a large number of health effects. In children they are linked with problems in development, autism, behaviour, the immune system, allergies, and severe illness. There is also a significant correlation between exposure to these toxins and heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, cancer, allergies, autoimmune and psychiatric diseases.

Dr. Mark Hyman, a medical doctor who treats numerous patients with environmentally-related illnesses said that the effects of toxic exposure are not reversible. There are treatments out there to help those affected, but the real solution lies more in prevention rather than rescue.

Brockovich told the community to use their voices to make a difference, she promised to help them in any way she can. "I really hope there's a change in corporate mentality. Practicing morality over money -- better way to do business," Brokovich said.

Lafarge released a statement saying: "Tonight's discussion on protecting the environment and enhancing the quality of life in Ravena are issues we've been focused on for several years, and is why we are in the beginning steps of modernizing our plant which will further optimize our environmental performance."

By: Alice Clare (ARI-C News)