Letters to the Editor for Monday, September 8, 2008
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Published: September 8, 2008
Questions about biosolids are valid
Thanks to The News & Advance for the Aug. 24 editorial about the questions that remain about sludge’s long-term effects. You very correctly point out that even the EPA believes further study is needed before they will be willing to say that sludge is safe for the long term.
Click to sendTo know which load contains which harmful chemicals or diseases is simply impossible and will remain so as long as the sewage waste stream remains unpredictable. In the recent past, sediments disturbed in existing sewer lines were released and high concentrations of PCBs turned up in the sludge. Other chemicals, including some pesticides and pharmaceuticals have been observed in effluent water. This is by no means the end of the list and it grows daily.
The questions posed in the editorial are quite reasonable and valid. To begin, is the material entirely safe to humans exposed to it in homes near the fields? Well, that depends on the health of the persons exposed and what they are getting exposed to. The Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control have issued guidance documents for workers exposed to Class B biosolids that recommend masks and gloves, and that goggles, face shields, respirators and liquid-repellent coveralls should also be provided. Interestingly, the document states that it is not intended to address nonoccupational exposure nor does it address such issues such as exposures to chemicals. Since these exposures to the workers are only for the time they are working with the biosolids, is it not reasonable to assume that any down-wind resident, especially the elderly, young children and those with existing health problems exposed all day and night, every day should need the same types of protections?
As to the other questions posed in your editorial, we can only assume that the problems being faced elsewhere around the U.S., Canada and Europe will occur here. Since the prevalence of the problems is persistent we should expect sick residents, sick livestock, plant uptake of unknown chemicals and varying risk to the community from diseases and pathogens we are just beginning to understand.
Chris Peot’s admission that not all biosolids have as innocuous an odor as the initial load to Gladys is quite true. Be reminded, though, that of the gases released by biosolids, not all have a pungent odor. After all, when was the last time you smelled the carbon monoxide coming from the car in front of you?
CHRIS SNYDER
Gladys
A local treasure
Alan Pearson must have an enormous collection of letters of appreciation for all that he does to make Lynchburg a better place.
I have such fond memories of Alan’s family, especially his mom and dad. They stand out as icons of my childhood, seeing them at the Pearson’s Drug Stores.
When the Jamerson YMCA extended an invitation to its members to write letters of appreciation to those who have contributed in various ways to the excellence of the Jamerson YMCA, the name Alan Pearson first came to mind.
I sense that Alan doesn’t really need thanks for all that he has done for the citizens of Lynchburg, Centra Health and the Jamerson YMCA. I believe that he is blessed with the ability to find enormous personal happiness in being able to honor his much beloved parents by promoting health care both for those with cancer and other illnesses and those who have a sincere interest in maintaining good health through healthy lifestyles.
I want him to know that I am one of so many folks who sincerely appreciate his caring and generosity for it is a fact that Lynchburg is a much better place because of him and his family.
BRANTLEY RICHARDSON TOWNES
Forest
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Reader Reactions
Posted by ( commonsenseplz ) on September 08, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Fred, looks like you have the comprehension problem, both in understanding what you say and what others have said. I have stated so many times that I do not hold any belief in Jesus as a deity. Get it? And don’t try to downplay your words now. You have stated so many times that you see Christians as extremely dangerous. Apparently not more dangerous than republicans though because you are voting for the two biggest Christians on the ticket. You are one huge ball of hypocrisy. Filled up your SUV today? You must have that high grade gas to make it to Kroger so you can yell at more customers for using plastic bags.
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Posted by ( Fred ) on September 08, 2008 at 2:34 pm
commonsenseplz,
Why don’t you make an effort to understand what you read. Or is moving your lips interfering with that process?
Let me try once again: I do not believe that leaders who profess christianity are what this country needs after 8 years of demolition derby orchestrated by Bush, the Christian-in-Chief. Do you get it this time?
Why don’t you tell us how you started believing in sweet Jesus? Don’t be embarrassed. You are not the only one who has been conned.
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Posted by ( bigjimm ) on September 08, 2008 at 11:50 am
Fred
Are you bored today? Me too.
My Mother started taking me to church when I was an infant and I did not miss a Sunday outside of a terrible snowstorm(God’s Will) for the next 17 years. When we went on vacation, we found a nearby church, I kid you not. My Mother did this more for my Grandmother and to shut her up than for any other reason. It was the path of least resistance.
I don’t think it hurt me at all. The person of average intelligence will have it figured out pretty quick for what it actually is; a method to control and get money from the congregation.
I do think that there is some offer of comfort in the congregating part of it and it is a big part of community and in reality it is about the only way to get people together outside of specially arranged meetings.
That said, I really have no time for it and my children don’t either. I would say that we are not atheists, we are just indifferent to it and don’t need the crutch it offers, even by people of good will, to believe in the supernatural.
The danger in it all is that certain religious charlatans use it for their own reasons that have more to do with money and power than actually doing what their own Bible says is God’s work.
I personally find more comfort in Santa Claus and the Vernal Equinox bunny than I do in anything in the bible.
The whole concept of a loving god that would sentence you to eternal damnation just seems to be a construct of imaginative men than a god capable of creating all of this.
Someone asked me once how I could believe in evolution instead of the bible and I told them it was simple. The god that I pictured was smart enough to come up with evolution on his or her own and had made it work. They didn’t have an answer to that.
Have a nice day Fred.
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Posted by ( commonsenseplz ) on September 08, 2008 at 11:35 am
Fred, I’ve been asking myself the same thing about you. Why do you keep repeating it? Especially since you are voting for two of the biggest Christians on the ticket. Check out the George Stephanopolis interview with Obama yesterday. He talks about his Christian beliefs.
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Posted by ( Cosmo Wafflefoot ) on September 08, 2008 at 10:51 am
CHRIS SNYDER ... What do you think we should do with all the crap? Common Sense dictates that the cost of disposal should be included in the cost of production and sales. That would screw up the profits, so, we all have to fight about it later. Since there are enormous profits being made producing chemical, pharmaceutical and biological waste the least powerful will get it dumped in their yard. It doesn’t matter who claims it’s safe. The question is who can you seek damages from when everything goes bad. The answer is Nobody…. just like vaccines, flu shots and nuclear power plants. Everyone making a buck off it swears up & down how safe they are. NOBODY is willing to put their money where their mouth is. [BRANTLEY RICHARDSON TOWNES].... Why are you telling us? Tell him!
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Posted by ( luv2bliberal ) on September 08, 2008 at 9:51 am
Fred,
So Palin isn’t qualified to be Pres. because she is a Governor, and you try to add gravitas to your statement on religion by quoting a Governor?
?????????????
Better go fill up your SUV, hurricane is coming!!!
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Posted by ( Fred ) on September 08, 2008 at 9:32 am
Why do I keep repeating that religion is dangerous?
Mainly because people, especially in this country but also in Islamic countries, become religious through indoctrination, coercion and intimidation, and certainly not of free will. They are then easily manipulated into believing things that have nothing to do with religion: Bush was anointed by God (Bush), Iraq is God’s will (Bush, Palin), the gas pipeline in Alaska is God’s plan (Palin), etc.
Some time ago, Grandma declared I had a sick mind because of comments I had made about religion. I then replied in the following manner:
“My mind is fine, thank you. It is yours I am worried about!
Please do tell us: how old you were you when your parents started indoctrinating you in myths based on fear and superstition (God)? When have you done the same terrible disservice to your children? Are they doing the same to their own children? Do you see the pattern?
Lenin rightly labeled religion as “opium for the people”. And Jesse Ventura [former governor of Minnesota] said the following immortal words: “Organized religion is a sham and a crutch for weak-minded people who need strength in numbers”. It is hard to argue with those lucid statements.“
Not surprisingly, I never heard back from Grandma! Did I hit a nerve? Maybe some of you would like to answer those simple questions by relating their own experience?
I am not holding my breath, I promise!
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Posted by ( Fred ) on September 08, 2008 at 9:24 am
A friend of mine sent me a collection of satirical cartoons by Bansky, a British artist.
They can be found at http://www.bansky.co.uk/indoors/ele01.html
I would like to attract your attention to the cartoon depicting a smiling Mickey Mouse and a jovial Ronald McDonald holding the hands of a terrified little Vietnamese girl, who was just napalmed. You draw your own conclusion.
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