Answer the following in a new discussion post. You also need to respond to one classmate’s post.
1. Who/what are the main contributors to Birmingham's air pollution issues (include a definition of coke)?
2. Do you think there is enough being done to protect these neighborhoods or help with clean up? Explain.
3. What prevents these families from moving?
4. Do you think that Birmingham air pollution issues affect you? Why/how (or why not)?
ABC Coke is the main contributor. The pollution has occurred for 100 years due to steel manufacturing and contaminated soil. Now, the pollutants being blown into the air by the Walter Coke Plant and the ABC Coke plants are affecting neighborhoods such as Fairmont, Collegeville, and Harriman Park. Coke is grey, hard, and porous fuel with high carbon content. It is used for fuel for smelting iron or in a blast furnace. Stockpiles blow dust into the air while stormwater runoff and substances from the facilities being filled into low areas also affect residents. The EPA and the county health department are also to blame, for not taking the initiative to clean up these sites in the past. Chemicals like benzene, arsenic, and lead are released into the air and cause a number of health issues for anyone exposed to them.
I don’t think enough is being done, because people are still continuing to experience issues, including children. If enough was being done, there would not have been schools built in the area where the soil is contaminated. There were also programs and initiatives to help determine the contamination and pollution level coming from the plants using DIAL, but the EPA stated they had no intention of using it. The ATSDR is also accused of being dismissive of public concerns, saying that any exposure to any chemicals can cause health threats but it depends on the exposure. They also stated the air in North Birmingham was acceptable, which was untrue. Residents are being told the coke plants are not a problem, but this is also untrue. The property value of families living in the area has decreased so drastically due to the contamination and pollution. Everyone is aware of the situation, so no one wants to move there. Due to this, residents cannot afford to move. I think this air pollution directly affects me because I have lived in Birmingham my whole life and am attending BSC, not far from multiple industrial plants where these pollutants are likely being spread. I believe if you live or spend a large amount of time in the city, you are affected. I think people believe that since the air blows most of the pollutants into North Birmingham that they are not exposed, but in reality, all residents of Birmingham are being exposed.