The Michigan Department of Community Health has determined that a Montmorency County power company poses no apparent public health hazard to the surrounding community.
During a power failure at the plant in April 2004, ash was released into the air. Due to wind patterns that day, the ash dispersed over and deposited on a local playground, which was being used by school children. Several children had complained of irritated skin and eyes and breathing problems.
Although there were complaints of adverse health effects, no chemicals exceeded health-based screening levels. The report suggests that proactive measures, such as erecting a windsock and returning indoors when the wind is blowing from the north, be taken to prevent future exposure to ash emissions.
http://www.michigan.gov/minewswire/0,1607,7-136-3452-115478--,00.html
Gee, we'd sure hate to put the burden on the polluter to take the "proactive measures," wouldn't we? Talk about externalizing costs to the community.
Posted by Dave at April 19, 2005 04:58 PM