Amy Sorensen

Love Canal assignment

Hlth 100

            It was shocking to see the devastating effects of the love canal incident. The Hooker oil company was very irresponsible when they started to dump all of those hazardous wastes into love canal. As I learned more about it and learned about all of the health effects that it has caused to the residents of Love Canal, I realized that environment health is such an important field in our safety. All of those toxins were negatively affecting the children at schools and even in their homes. Mothers who were pregnant put their unborn babies at risk for birth defects unknowingly. It is a sad truth that all of those toxins are very detrimental for health and very harmful. I used to think that a lot of money was wasted on huge projects like the one put in effect to clean up the Love Canal site. It was just so much money that the government put forth where I thought could be used in different areas. However, after seeing the Love Canal tragedy and learning more about it I have changed my opinion. I think that money is well spent on environmental tragedies such as Love Canal. The government does that for the concern of the people and their health. It is sad that lessons had to be learned from this terrible tragedy, but hopefully it will continue to make a difference in the regulation of chemical waste.

            I was aware that environmental tragedies still happen today. When I was thinking about this topic many examples of oil spills came to my mind. There are so many that are a threat to wildlife and water quality and health. Recently there was an oil leak in a diesel pipeline of Chevron gas company near Willard Bay in Box Elder County.  Many measures have been taken to prevent any contamination to the surrounding water areas. However, diesel had already leaked into parts of the underground water and elevated oil levels were detected in Willard Bay itself. This leaking fuel is a big threat to surrounding wildlife and to users of Willard Bay. It has always been an attraction for fishing and water sports because it is relatively close to most residents of the Wasatch Front. Now when people go there to enjoy the lake, there is a toxic threat because of the diesel leak. Obviously, this is not as serious as the Love Canal tragedy and not at the same magnitude. I am aware though that these kinds of things happen a lot. It is comforting to know that there are individuals who are concerned when things like this happen and take a stance to change them.

Link to my article:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865577825/Groundwater-contamination-an-issue-at-Willard-Bay-spill-site-Chevron-to-be-cited.html