Blasting can contaminate groundwater by releasing explosive residue in the ground and by releasing naturally occurring contaminates like radon and arsenic into groundwater wells through shifts and fissures in bedrock.
The Austinite powder that CCA is using for explosives can contaminate groundwater with nitrate. The immediate health concern is the conversion of nitrate to nitrite in the digestive tract by nitrate reducing bacteria. Nitrite is readily absorbed into the blood where it combines with the hemoglobin that carries oxygen. It forms methemoglobin, which cannot carry oxygen. The reduced oxygen supply to the body tissues causes physical stress. When severe enough, nitrate poisoning is life threatening because of suffocation. This condition is called methemoglobinemia. Pregnant women, those with health infirmities and infants are the most susceptible to nitrate poisoning. Cattle, sheep, goats and horses are more susceptible to nitrate poisoning then people or other animals. Many abuters and neighbors to the CCA quarry Freetown/Berkley property own cattle, sheep, goats and horses.
Radon is a gas that is a natural product of the breakdown of uranium in the soil. Blasting can release radon into the groundwater of nearby wells. The EPA states that using household water containing radon contributes to elevated indoor radon levels in the home. Radon is the second largest cause of lung cancer in the United States. The Center for Disease Control warns that ingesting water contaminated by radon may increase chances of developing lung cancer.
Blasting can release naturally occurring pockets of arsenic into groundwater in private wells. Arsenic is odorless and tasteless. When ingested it causes thickening and discoloration of the skin, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, numbness in the hands and feet, partial paralysis and blindness. High levels of arsenic consumption can cause death. The EPA states that arsenic has been linked to cancer of the bladder, lungs, skin, kidney, nasal passages, liver and prostate.
In a meeting with residents in February, CCA refused to place monitoring wells on their property for the neighbors who are down gradient of their site. These residents would be most vulnerable to well contamination. CCA has placed monitoring wells on the Berkley portion of their property which is up gradient of the site. In their presentation to the Berkley Board of Health they asked for a permit for the monitoring wells in order to help them proceed with their plans for bringing the larger portion of the quarry into Berkley.
Showing posts with label nitrates. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nitrates. Show all posts
Monday, August 3, 2009
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Gasses and Contamination from Blasting
According to NIOSH ( National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)blasting at surface mines produces the toxic gases, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitric oxide (NO), and carbon monoxide (CO). NIOSH states that surface blasting creates enough toxic fumes to have the potential to create hazards. NIOSH recommends monitoring the air and evacuating neighbors if fumes appear. No prevailing wind tests have been conducted for the Cape Cod Aggregates quarry site in Berkley, Freetown. Cape Cod Aggregates has not provided any information on if or how they will monitor the air during blasting. Cape Cod Aggregates has not produced a written plan that would demonstrate how they plan to protect public safety or evacuate in an emergency.
In addition to creating toxic clouds that contaminate the air, blasting gases and residue can also create ground and ground water contamination.
Some of the blasts used in surface mining produce a product cloud colored red or orange by the presence of NO2. NIOSH asserts that in the interest of safety every blaster should assume that any blasting product cloud is unsafe to breathe.
Carbon monoxide may travel up to several hundred feet and collect at toxic levels in the basements of nearby homes. Carbon monoxide is odorless so there is no obvious indication that a hazard exists. There have been thirty-nine suspected or medically verified carbon monoxide poisonings in homes from surface mining operations, with one fatality. According to NIOSH, in one incident in Kittanning, Pennsylvania, blasting fumes traveled 450 feet from a coal strip mine into a home, poisoning a couple and their baby. All three recovered following treatment in a hyperbaric chamber. CO moves through cracks and fissures in the ground. Homes with a French Drain are more likely to create a direct pathway for the fumes to collect. Studies recommend that the blaster place CO monitors in occupied parts of nearby homes and businesses. Berkley residents requested CO monitors from CCA or their blasting company and CCA flatly refused.
Nitrates that are not burned off during the explosion contaminate the ground and can cause contamination of ground water in private wells. Material Data Safety Sheets provided by CCA show that they are using nitro glycerine ignited by ANFO. Nitro glycerine continates nitrates that can easily contaminate the ground and groundwater. Residents depend on private wells as the only source of drinking water. ANFO contains a number of contaminates and can create a toxic orange cloud if ignited incorrectly.
Blasting releases radon gas that exists naturally in the ground. Radon released from blasting collects in the basements of nearby homes. Radon is the second largest cause of lung cancer in the United States. The risk of radon in our area is moderate on a scale of low, moderate, high from information available from the state. While our risk is not high, it is not low. Even in areas with a low risk, high pockets of radon can still exist at specific locations.
In addition to creating toxic clouds that contaminate the air, blasting gases and residue can also create ground and ground water contamination.
Some of the blasts used in surface mining produce a product cloud colored red or orange by the presence of NO2. NIOSH asserts that in the interest of safety every blaster should assume that any blasting product cloud is unsafe to breathe.
Carbon monoxide may travel up to several hundred feet and collect at toxic levels in the basements of nearby homes. Carbon monoxide is odorless so there is no obvious indication that a hazard exists. There have been thirty-nine suspected or medically verified carbon monoxide poisonings in homes from surface mining operations, with one fatality. According to NIOSH, in one incident in Kittanning, Pennsylvania, blasting fumes traveled 450 feet from a coal strip mine into a home, poisoning a couple and their baby. All three recovered following treatment in a hyperbaric chamber. CO moves through cracks and fissures in the ground. Homes with a French Drain are more likely to create a direct pathway for the fumes to collect. Studies recommend that the blaster place CO monitors in occupied parts of nearby homes and businesses. Berkley residents requested CO monitors from CCA or their blasting company and CCA flatly refused.
Nitrates that are not burned off during the explosion contaminate the ground and can cause contamination of ground water in private wells. Material Data Safety Sheets provided by CCA show that they are using nitro glycerine ignited by ANFO. Nitro glycerine continates nitrates that can easily contaminate the ground and groundwater. Residents depend on private wells as the only source of drinking water. ANFO contains a number of contaminates and can create a toxic orange cloud if ignited incorrectly.
Blasting releases radon gas that exists naturally in the ground. Radon released from blasting collects in the basements of nearby homes. Radon is the second largest cause of lung cancer in the United States. The risk of radon in our area is moderate on a scale of low, moderate, high from information available from the state. While our risk is not high, it is not low. Even in areas with a low risk, high pockets of radon can still exist at specific locations.
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