The 6 Most Terrifying Facts About the Chemical Spill Contaminating West Virginia’s Drinking Water

[xchrom]

http://www.alternet.org/water/6-most-terrifying-facts-about-chemical-spill-contaminating-west-virginias-drinking-water



***SNIP

1. No one knows when water will be safe to drink again. “I can’t ballpark it because I don’t know,” Jeff McIntyre, president of West Virginia American Water Co. said at the conference. The entire water system will have to be flushed and tested, and though the Elk River was the water source immediately impacted by the spill, McIntyre said that the spill impacts the entire distribution of the water system — sending water to a total of 1,500 miles in the area.

***SNIP

2. No one knows when the leak started or how much has leaked into the Elk River. It was complaints of an odor coming from communities near the river that triggered city and county officials to investigate. They found the source of the spill at 4 p.m. Thursday, but had no way of knowing how long the chemical had been leaking. McIntyre also said he didn’t think the chemical was still leaking, but didn’t know the current status of the spill for sure. According to a Department of Environmental Protection spokesman, the state is “confident that no more than 5,000 gallons escaped,” but only knows that “a certain amount of that got into the river. Some of that was contained.”

3. The water company has had no contact with Freedom Industries, the company that manufactures the spilled chemical. According to McIntyre, the company provided no notice of the spill and hasn’t been in communication with the water company since.

4. There is no standard process for testing the toxicity of the spilled chemical in water. When the water company found out about the spill, it was originally told it was a different chemical than the 4-Methylcyclohexane Methanol that had spilled into the water. But even when the company found out what the chemical was, it couldn’t answer many questions about it. “This not a chemical that’s typical to be in water treatment process,” McIntyre said during the press conference.

[JustAnotherGen]

1. Rec

[stevenleser]

2. K&R & Bookmarked nt

[Scuba]

3. Kick.

[Triana]

4. Humans...

....shitting in their own beds for profit. Before long, there'll be no uncontaminated corner anywhere and we'll all sit, suffer and die in our own feces. Fabulous. Pfft.

[CrispyQ]

11. Yes, the pinnacle of creation with our superior intelligence.

I hear people ask, "Do animals think?" I wonder, "Do people think?"

"We are consuming our ecosystem for the profit of a few." ~The 11th Hour

[Amonester]

51. Well, in this case, and many others, it's more "some" humans...

.... shitting in "other" humans' beds for profit, but also for more greed.

[tecelote]

70. If aliens exist...

they may be looking at planet earth as a beautiful planet with a terrible cancer called mankind.

[cinnabonbon]

5. In a better world, bottled water should be provided

to the people of WV at the company's expense. You break it, you pay for it.

Companies would definitely work harder not to let this happen again if they knew how expensive it could get for them if they screwed up.

[marble falls]

7. Yeah! They couldbuy thewater from Nestles who want us all drinking bottled water as they buy....

up public water sources all around the US!

[cinnabonbon]

12. No. D: I don't want to help them.

I remember reading about that. I can't believe the chairman of Nestle said that "water wasn't a basic human right." Despicable way of thinking!

It's frightening how so many companies are trying to privatize public resources. "Spills" like this one certainly helps them, in that regard. It's like hurting the competition when they destroy public resources.

Isn't there any way that will make them pay for it that won't be twisted in their favor, then?

[marble falls]

14. I still get worked up thinking about it. Profiting off of other peoples misery is part of the ....

business model these days.

[cinnabonbon]

16. It's so twisted.

And in my opinion, if a person don't get upset about stuff like that, something is very wrong. It's so in-your-face sometimes, too, like they absolutely can't stand the thought of human rights, because they can't make money out of it.

[Doremus]

19. The only effective deterrent is prison.

Anything less is a written invitation to do it again and again and again.

[cinnabonbon]

20. Hear, hear! n/t

[TheKentuckian]

42. Only with a good portion of personal confiscation otherwise the time, like fines

to the company they become part of the calculation of the cost of doing business and another gamble in the big casino.

We also must have robust and we'll funded regulatory systems with the resources, authority, expertise, and some degree of adversarial separation in role to actually provide actual independent oversight, something even most regulation minded Democrats seem unable to conceive of in the current age, preferring industry written "self regulation" schemes with weak and largely toothless reviewers of self reporting looking for inconsistencies that may lead to some fines and bullshit statements of non confession of guilt assumable to create some flimsy illusion of justice for political herding via nostalgic shadow puppets beckoning back to a different day.

Hell, the "left wing" edge is transparency AKA...it isn't so much the hosing that is the problem but more failing inform about the screwings. I guess that is progress in the right direction but a pretty lackluster frontier.

[RC]

8. But any loses on profits will be written off in their taxes,

even if it means they would then get money back.

[cinnabonbon]

10. I hadn't thought about that

I dislike that they can get the government to pay for the screw-up this way, no matter which way we turn it. Ugh.

[Curmudgeoness]

43. Actually, fines are not tax deductible,

so we would just have to set the furnishing of water to all affected people as a fine instead of as something that can be deducted. Although I do like the idea of confiscation of property as well.

We really need fines that are so large, that they cost the company at least twice as much as any profit they get from doing things wrong. If the fine is $10,000, and a company makes and additional $1,000,000 by skirting the law, they are more than happy to pay the fine and continue as before.

[NuttyFluffers]

68. make fines based on percentage of annual gross

then adjusting for inflation becomes a non-issue.

[El_Johns]

23. +1. If I break something in a shop or in a public space, I have to pay. Why isn't it the same for

corporations?

[cinnabonbon]

72. Exactly! The double standard is so frustrating.

[NuttyFluffers]

67. Capital Punishment for Corporations.

Forced Dissolution and Victim Restitution before shareholder equity or lender liability is paid out.

[cinnabonbon]

71. Now that would be great.

I wish we could get a bill like THAT to pass in congress.

[marble falls]

6. I wonder how Teapartisans feel about regulatory authorities, now?

[lastlib]

9. "Freeedum!" It's all becuz of ObamaCare and Benghazi!

and Obama comin' to take away gunz!...........

[The Wielding Truth]

17. Disaster awaits in the mist of a major deregulation with the containment of fracking chemicals.

[theHandpuppet]

40. Wouldn't know

West Virginia's Governor and Senators are all Democrats.

[AlbertCat]

56. West Virginia's Governor and Senators are all Democrats.

Who have been telling the company not to store chemicals there for years now....

[Curmudgeoness]

44. I wouldn't be surprised

if some of those conservatives in WV are rethinking this anti-regulation rhetoric. You know how it goes, as long as it doesn't directly affect you, you don't support it. "Keep your government hands off of my Social Security check!" is a good example.

[valerief]

47. Guns don't need no water.

Freedumb!

[cantbeserious]

13. Glory Be - Hallelujah - Let The Corporations Profit - Let The Humans Perish - Praise Jeebus

eom

[ProfessorGAC]

15. I Question Some of This

Simply good accounting practices would know how much there was, and now how much is left. The spill should be accurate to within a few hundred pounds, which for this solvent would only be around 60 gallons.

So, they should be SURE if it was no more than 5000 gallons, not merely confident.

What is described in item 3 is a CRIME. It is an EPA law that requires community and agency notification in the event of a spill.

As to #4, Right to Know mandates that every employee have access to all hazard and handling requirements and be trained yearly to confidently know where those documents reside, how to access them, and that they understand the covered chemicals. This is an OSHA law. There is no way that people at that plant would not understand enough to answer questions about it. Sounds like obfuscation to me.

This sounds like one really shabby company. Ignorant of their own processes, the chemicals they use, and willful neglect of the law. Gee, where can i get an applicaton?

[ProfessorGAC]

18. BTW

I think this might be a small, and sloppily run, independent. You can't even access their website because the server bandwidth has been exceeded. Either they have one crappy IT infrastructure, or they've shut down their website to stay under cover.

I can't find anything on the DJ or AMEX on this company. I'm not sure this is a publicly held company.

[niyad]

59. here (and you might like the girlfriend's comment)

Freedom Industries execs are longtime colleagues
By David Gutman

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Freedom Industries, the company whose chemical spill is responsible for the contamination of much of the Kanawha Valley's water, has existed in its current form for less than two weeks.

On the last day of 2013, Freedom Industries, which distributes chemicals used in coal mining, merged with three other companies: Etowah River Terminal, Poca Blending and Crete Technologies, a Delaware company.

Poca Blending, in Nitro, and Etowah River Terminal, in Charleston, now comprise the two branches of Freedom Industries.

The company's website says the Charleston branch, which spilled the chemical, "can process large volumes of chemical rapidly, and cost effectively."

Smells from the spill were reported early Thursday morning, but Freedom mostly stonewalled media inquiries -- releasing only a bland news release through a public relations firm -- until a 10-minute news conference Friday evening.

. . .

http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201401100119





Prior to the news conference, the most extensive public statement from anyone connected with the company came Friday afternoon from Kathy Stover-Kennedy, the girlfriend of Freedom Industries executive Dennis P. Farrell.

Stover-Kennedy stressed that the spill was an accident and said that Farrell has received threatening and frightening messages from people around the world.

"I'm not asking for anyone's sympathy but a little empathy wouldn't hurt. And just so you know, the boys at the plant made and drank coffee this morning! I showered and brushed my teeth this morning and I am just fine!" Stover-Kennedy wrote on her personal Facebook page.

so, being the significant other qualifies her to determine that this was an accident, and there is nothing to worry about? wow. . .just. . .wow.

[ProfessorGAC]

73. Thanks. Helped Make My Point

We seem to be in complete agreement that there is significant hiding in plain sight going on.

[underpants]

24. I agree on the accounting...but... what if they were over the limit

and they don't want that info in the hands of regulators or justice?

Grain silos and other agriculture are infamous for going over inventory (safety)limits much like truck drivers lie about weight and sleep records.

Just saying.

[ProfessorGAC]

34. Can't Disagree

However, failing to disclose that is just another law broken.

[Egalitarian Thug]

25. That's the problem with laws in a plutocracy, whose going to enforce them?

It's consistent across the spectrum, from the town Sheriff that won't charge or arrest the rapist rich kid, to the President that won't allow his predecessor to be prosecuted for the murder of millions.

The Law that doesn't apply equally is no law at all.

[bluedigger]

31. re: #4

As I read it, I think that it is the water company that doesn't have much knowledge of the chemical. They would have no responsibility under OSHA to know about it as it isn't something that originated in their workplace but has been introduced into it by Freedom Industries (FI), where your observations do apply. The water company and the people they serve are the victims here, not the perpetrators. It is FI who is obfuscating and being uncooperative.

[ProfessorGAC]

33. FI Is Who I Meant

The guy from the water company said the plant wasn't able to provide much information. There's no way they don't have that paperwork. I never intended to say the water company is at fault.

[Brigid]

21. They left one out:

7. No one will be held accountable for this. No one.

[ProfessorGAC]

35. I Don't Agree

There is plenty of precedent for civil and criminal action when investigation results in a finding of negligence.

GAC

[Brigid]

36. That is true.

But that doesn't mean it will happen here.

[ProfessorGAC]

74. Really?

One could say that about any event ever. Not exactly going to alter my opinion that someone is going to get slapped hard over this.

[Brigid]

79. We're talking about the coal industry. In WV.

When of comes to anyone being held accountable for this, I'll believe it when I see it.

[loudsue]

22. Check out the name: "Freedom Industries". Freedom from oversight. Freedom from

regulations. Freedom from responsibility.

[jsr]

26. Beware companies with patriotic names

[democratisphere]

27. Where the hell are the goverment inspectors....

that should have been keeping tabs on the condition of these chemical tanks? How come there was no secondary containment if leaks were to occur in the tanks! This is absolutely inexcusable!!

[Curmudgeoness]

45. Doncha know?

They were all laid off to save money.

[Zorra]

28. All US natural resources must be nationalized. End. Of. Story. nt

[2naSalit]

37. I agree entirely!

I have been making that statement for some time now but few want to consider it... at least few who have any power to do anything resulting in such a result. The banks should be nationalized as well, but I digress...

[PCIntern]

29. Drinking this water is the equivalent of eating three bananas every two weeks...

just want you to know that...

just in case...

[G_j]

30. Terrifying

it sure is!

[Lint Head]

32. This could be a mini shock doctrine opportunity. Destroy the water supply and force people to buy

corporately owned water. Did anyone notice how the official responsible for the chemical spill was drinking bottled water?
I'm not saying it was intentional. The Shock Doctrine is opportunistic.

[2naSalit]

38. That thought

rushes to my brain every time one of these Shock Doctrine-like events take place. Seems to be a two or three times daily event for me. And I have a hard time staying calm about it.

[swilton]

39. Simply Put

Hire/pay the people that caused the problem to fix the problem...

[Curmudgeoness]

46. But it isn't just about drinking water.

They have been told not to use this water in any way except to flush their toilets. No bathing, no shower, don't even wash your face. That would be a hellava lot of water to take a bath if you were using bottled drinking water.

[Lint Head]

49. The Shock Doctrine is the complete destruction of a

society or resource to be rebuilt and controled. It's opportunistic. The results of fracking could accomplish the same end.

[Curmudgeoness]

50. Yes, it could.

I just saw that Texas is having a lot of earthquakes around an area where they have injection wells. And STILL the PTB are saying that they are not convinced that the two are related. Just like happened close to my area where they finally shut down the well and the earthquakes have stopped. But there is no "evidence" that the earthquakes are caused by the injection wells. WTF.

I heard on the news about this chemical spill in WV, and I realized just how much we use water. They are not even supposed to wash their hands with the tap water. We are really screwed as a society if we allow our water to be tainted....by careless chemical companies or by fracking.

[blkmusclmachine]

41. ,

,

[paleotn]

48. For #4...

all you ever wanted to know about methyl cyclohexane.

http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/f?./temp/~S8TVpD:1

...not terribly hard to find, so Mr. McIntyre is either a fool or a lying bastard. Take your pick.

[morningfog]

58. Your link is no good.

Can you fix it?

I am curious to see you disprove what has been regularly repeated: "There is no standard process for testing the toxicity of (4-Methylcyclohexane Methanol) in water."

[niyad]

60. try this:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024317349

[paleotn]

78. Thanks! (nt)

[pa28]

52. The invisible hand of the free market will be along to provide a solution in no time.

It will probably involve buying all their water supplies from private transnational bottling companies.

FREEEDOM!11

[littlewolf]

53. I really want to know when people are going to go to prison.

at the very least state prison. if not Federal prison.

[eggplant]

54. How about this.

The feds appoint a special master who oversees company operations, directing all necessary funds to the cleanup until the problem is resolved. Anything the company wants to spend on anything else has to be approved. Executive salaries and bonuses are the first to be garnished. This prevents looting and/or bankruptcy, which would screw the public a second time (because we would have to pay for the cleanup).

[lastone]

55. I'd like to know the political affiliations of the owners -

As with the name and location of this company I'm guessing tbagging criminals. Also, why haven't the freaking police been sent to demand answers as apparently they are stonewalling the utility.

[niyad]

62. not sure of affiliation, but they are suppliers for georgia-pacific

Freedom Industries

Freedom Industries released crude 4-Methylcyclohexanemethanol (MCHM) into the Elk River.[1] On December 31, 2013, Freedom Industries which had been founded in 1992 by Gary Southern, and Carl L. Kennedy II merged with three other companies, Etowah River Terminal, Poca Blending, and Crete Technologies.[1] Southern remains as president of the newly formed company.[1] The company distributes chemicals used in coal mining[1] and is a distributor for Georgia-Pacific.[2]

. . . .

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Elk_River_chemical_spill

[questionseverything]

76. georgia-pacific is the koch brothers

surprise!

[840high]

57. kick

[jtuck004]

61. Here's a link to what purports to be thd MSDS. And that should have been available for the asking

at the site. Even if not, easy enough for the water co to download it.

mediad.publicbroadcasting.net/p/wvpn/files/201401/MSDS-MCHM_I140109214955.pdf

[blackspade]

63. Unbelievable that 'Freedom Industies' officals have not been hauled in...

to answer questions in a clear concise manner.

There should be no way that the company doesn't have information on the volume and type of chemical that spilled.
Especially if it was, or was part of, one of their products.

[Liberal_in_LA]

64. rec

[NealK]

65. K&R n/t

[DeSwiss]

69. The 7th Most Terrifying Fact.....

...About the Chemical Spill Contaminating West Virginia’s Drinking Water is that all this took place in a land where the people get to elect their leaders, who are then charged with the responsibility of looking out on their behalf.

- And this is the best they can do.......

K&R

[Stuart G]

75. rec..nt

[catbyte]

77. #3 proves that the private sector SUCKS when it comes to concern about public safety

This is why libertarianism would be a complete disaster.