Toxic Towns USA Zack Brown, Chelsea Hoffman, Chris La Putt, and Liz Sparkes

The Scene: Rochester, New York Population: 220,000 Rochester Institute of Technology

CNS Cancer Double the national average. 119 cases in children. Ranked 9 th suffering from pollution.

The Culprit: KODAK State’s largest polluter Released 7,342,663 lbs. of carcinogens within the area. Released 544 million adult doses of dioxin per year. Major spills 30 tons of Methylene Chloride in a year 1 ton in a matter of six hours

Dioxin and Methylene Chloride Dioxin - Chlorinated Dibenzo-p- dioxins(CDDs) Crystals or colorless solids. Not intentionally manufactured other than for research (AKA: WASTE) Chloracne, liver damage, increased risk of cancer Methylene chloride Colorless liquid with a mild, sweet odor. Does not occur naturally in the environment. Nausea, burning redness, increased risk of cancer

What’s Being Done? $12 million settlement with EPA for cleanup Refurbished waste incinerators to decrease the amount of dioxin in the area. 75% decrease in pollution.

The Scene: Tupelo, MS Population: 30,000 Birthplace of Elvis Van Morrison's Tupelo Honey First TVA City

Liver, Kidney, & CNS Damage Causes liver to swell Causes buildup of waste in kidneys With high levels of exposure Carbon Tetrachloride affects the CNS. May lead to liver cancer.

The Culprit: Vitafoam Incorporated Also known as Olympic Corporation, Vitafoam UK, British Vita Cellular Foams PLC Foam, polyurethane, furniture making. Lee County’s main industry. 1,369% increase from 1956 of furniture manufacturing

Carbon Tetrachloride ( CCl4 ) 776,732 lbs. of carcinogens released in the environment. 3 million lbs. total for companies in Tupelo combined. Moves very quickly in the air. Breaks down and can also destroy ozone layer. Can remain in the air for years.

Some good news Activist involvement is high Greenpeace influence Montreal Protocol EPA regulations Phase out Carbon Tetrachloride

The Scene: Elkhart, Indiana Population 43,000 Amish Country! Dairy

Cancer Galore! The NEW Cancer Alley

The Culprit: Foamex Corporation Foam, polyurethane, furniture making. One of Elkhart’s “diversified manufacturing concerns“ Released 186,277 lbs. of methylene chloride in 1997.

Methylene Chloride & Acrolein Vitafoam! Acrolein Clear or yellow liquid Stinks Used to make other chemicals