Wonder Why...
From
Breitbart/Associated Press:
Calif: No common cause for birth defects near dump
California health officials said Monday they found no common cause for birth defects plaguing infants in an impoverished San Joaquin Valley farm town where residents are battling plans to expand the state's largest hazardous-waste landfill.
While officials said the recent rate of birth defects in Kettleman City was higher than what would be expected, the state investigation found no common factor to explain nearly a dozen cases of children born with cleft palates and other birth abnormalities.
"We wish there was an explanation for what caused the birth defects experienced by the children we studied," said Mark Horton, California Department of Public Health Director. "Our investigation finds that no common health or environmental factor links the cases."
Officials reviewed the cases of 11 children born with major birth defects since March 2007, as well as air, soil and water in the community and at the nearby Chemical Waste Management Inc. landfill.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger ordered the department and the California Environmental Protection Agency to investigate in February. The draft report was released Monday and is open to public comment.
The landfill is near the community of 1,500 people along Interstate 5, the main artery linking Northern and Southern California.
Every day, thousands of diesel trucks pass by Kettleman City on the highway. In addition, the town is bisected by high-tension power lines, and many residents work in nearby fields sprayed with pesticides and chemical fertilizers.
Hmmm... Diesel trucks - nope. High-tension powerlines - abject bullshit and bad science -- the cancers were caused by the herbicides sprayed under the towers. Pesticides and Fertilizers - nope -- too many other ag workers use these and have minimal problems.
Contaminated ground water - BINGO! Source? I'll let you be the judge of that.
It is funny how a state so over it's head with environmental regulation will sweep something like this under the rug if a big business wants to expand its operations. Isn't that a little bit hypocritical?
Posted by DaveH at November 22, 2010 8:05 PM