Submitted to Shelton Blog by Connie Simpson
I went to down town Shelton last week to do errands; the library, Todd’s Shoe Repair, and a coffee at Lynch Creek. After walking a few blocks, I noticed my chest was tight and my breathing became noticeably more difficult. I decided to cut my errands short and got in the car to drive home.
It was then I noticed the inordinate amount of smoke/steam/pollution rising from the Simpson campus. Voluminous rolling brown clouds, lying low over the water, obscured the sky.
No warnings told me not to go into the bowl of Shelton where the particulate material and VOCs linger in the air. People are so used to breathing this noxious mixture, they barely notice.
What really goes up and out of these smokestacks? We must continue to do everything possible to insist that any industry moving into Shelton/Mason County be safe for us inhabitants. Already, Simpson’s emissions are not safe for me, a vulnerable adult with asthma, nor is it safe for children, or folks with heart disease.
Adage says the estimated amount of emissions from their projected plant is safe, but as we all know, the EPA regulations are changing in response to current medical studies. Since 2006, many serious studies refute the claims of industry regarding these emissions.
If we want to live healthy lives in Mason County, we must insist on safe air. I will continue to do everything possible to protect our quality of life and our beautiful area; including speaking up, writing letters, attending county meetings, and studying the issues, and I encourage everyone to whom their own health and the health of the planet is important to do the same. For our children, grandchildren and ourselves, we must never give up or give in.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people
can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Margaret Mead
I think this has been on the blog before, but it bears repeating:
ReplyDelete"It does not require a majority to prevail but rather an irrate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in peoples' minds." Samuel Adams (I think posted here first by Craig?).
We need a system of warning the citizens that the air is bad and to keep them particularly out of the downtown area. I think something like an air-raid siren!
Maybe we should raise money to purchase such an item and put it at Shawnie's house; although I think the City and the County should be responsible for the cost of the same, and for being sure the citizens are warned.
On days like this, with the WAQA number rising every hour, the local government should warn the citizens of the danger of simply breathing deeply. This day is so beautiful that only we know that to breathe deeply today is a terrible idea. How can we get the average citizen notified?
And just think: If they institute a burn ban today for fireplaces and wood stoves, in resonse to these rising numbers, Simpson will go right on burning; and when they have two incinerators; Simpson will go right on burning; and when Adage is online, and the air quality is getting worse by the hour, and the citizens are asked not to burn their wood, Adage and Simpson will go right on burning.
Connie,
ReplyDeleteYour story of going to town, but having to return home because the air was too dangerous for you to breathe makes my heart so very sad. ORCAA must be informed at every opportunity (they actually responded to a less pervasive problem that we repeatedly reported near where we live in Shorecrest, about 3 weeks ago). The more we write and/or call ORCAA, the more that will be on record, & the more likely that something will eventually be done.