TOXIC CHEMICALS LEAKED UNDER SAN LOUIS OBISPO AIRPORT FOR DECADES

SLOAirport.com

Firefighters have trained at the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport since the 1970s. This training uses a fire suppressant that can put out petroleum-fueled fires. The aqueous film forming foam is particularly effective at putting out fire because it contains toxic chemicals known as per- and polyfluorinated substances or PFAS. PFAS accumulates over time in humans and are known as “forever chemicals.” According to the U.S Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry they have been found to have many health impacts such as liver damage, decreased fertility, and increased cholesterol levels.

Investigations beginning in 2019 at the San Louis Obispo airport found PFOS in the groundwater at levels of 130,000 parts per trillion. That is 32,500 greater than the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed maximum level for drinking water. San Luis Obispo County and Cal Fire have proposed coming to a voluntary agreement to handle the PFAS pollution. Currently the water board is reviewing public comments regarding the PFAS contamination. After reviewing the comments the board is likely to decide whether to issue a cleanup and abatement order or pursue a voluntary agreement.

A SPILL OUTSIDE PHILADELPHIA ADDS TO THE GROWING LIST OF CHEMICAL ACCIDENTS THIS YEAR

www.Salon.com

Thousands of gallons of chemicals were spilled into the Delaware river following a spill from a factory outside Philadelphia. The chemical plant owned by Trinseo estimated that 8,100 gallons of a latex finishing solution spilled into Otter Creek which is located about a dozen miles upstream from a drinking water treatment plant. According to Trinsea the spill was due to an equipment failure which is the leading cause of chemical spills according to a 2021 EPA report. One of the chemicals found in the solution is butyl acrylate which can cause skin irritation, headaches, dizziness, and vomiting.

TORNADO CAUSES PROPERTY DAMAGE, AND MINOR INJURIES IN PICKAWAY COUNTY

www.SciotoPost.com

On February 27, 2023, a tornado touched down in Pickaway County, Ohio that was one hundred yards wide, moving at a max speed of 85 mph, and had a path length of 1.4 miles. The tornado moved near Orient and lasted for around two minutes. Starting at South Harrisburg the tornado flipped a mobile home on its side and flipped another upside town on its roof. A nearby residence also had damage with a garage roof torn off. Luckily, there were only minor injuries caused by the tornado.

MORE PFAS CONTAMINATION DETECTED INSIDE THE CALVERTON ENTERPRISE PARK, NAVY INVESTIGATORS SAY

www.NewsDay.com

At the former Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve plant in Calverton new areas of PFAS contamination have been found by environmental investigators. New sites for investigation and cleanup have been designated by the Navy. One site had PFAS in the groundwater detected at 100 times the EPA’s regional screening level of 4 parts per trillion.

The Navy will take on remedial investigation of the sites assessing the extent of the contamination and potential threats to human health. After the assessment decisions for remedies will be proposed, approved, and implemented. The process itself can take a few years with the planning phase beginning in 2024 and remedial investigation scheduled to begin in 2025.

CONWAY FAMILY'S HOME DAMAGED, DRIVEWAY WASHED OUT BY THIS WEEK'S FLOODING ACROSS NEW HAMPSHIRE

www.ConwayDailySun.com

After a week of rain and flooding, a family in Conway, New Hampshire, is finally assessing the damage to their property. Water from an overflowing brook destroyed part of their driveway and turned the damaged driveway into a waterfall. The property owner described the aftermath as if “a sinkhole caused their camper, car and truck to collapse into the ground.”

Inside the property's basement, fans are running around the clock and the carpet was torn out in hopes of salvaging the space. Insurance will cover damage to the cars; however, damage to the house and driveway is not covered due to the property not being in a flood zone. 

To help, friends set up a GoFundMe to help cover uninsured costs.

LIFE AFTER 'SNOWMAGGEDON'

Medium.com

After a series of winter storms, many residents who were hit hard are working on rebuilding their properties. San Bernardino mountain communities saw more than 12 feet of snow, resulting in approximately $380 million in private and public losses.

Tricia DuFour, the owner of Pine Rose Cabins, is working on fixing her cabins to prepare for the wedding season. Other individuals like Michael Iron, who resides in Lake Arrowhead, is looking into all the resources available to him to repair his home. Juan Alvarado is trying to get a Small Business Administration Loan to repair the building he runs his company out of.

While Snowmaggedon has passed, many residents are still holding their breath as they navigate the aftermath.

3 FAMILIES DISPLACED AFTER CHILD ACCIDENTALLY STARTS FIRE WITH LIGHTER

www.ActionNews5.com

Over a dozen residents were forced out of their apartments after an accidental fire occurred at the Flairwood Apartment Complex in Oakhaven, Memphis. 50 Memphis firefighters responded to the fire at around 5 a.m.

Memphis Fire confirmed that there were no injuries and investigators say that the fire was an accident resulting from a child playing with a lighter in an upstairs bedroom. According to the Memphis Fire Department, the fire damaged four units and property damage exceeded $250,000.

EPA CITES CHEMOURS FOR EXCEEDING PFAS LIMITS IN WASTEWATER

www.NorthCarolinaHealthNews.org

According to the EPA, Chemour’s Washington Works Facility near Parkersburg, West Virginia, is exceeding PFAS limits set forth in the facility’s discharge permits. Wastewater from the Plant is discharged into the Ohio River. This is the first time the EPA has used its authority under the Clean Water Act to target PFAS and HFPO-DA in wastewater discharges.

Numerous dates from September 2018 to March 2023 are cited in the EPA’s order of when the Chemours facility discharged more PFOA and HFPO-DA than its permit allowed. In addition, the order also states that the Chemours failed to “properly operate and maintain all facilities and systems.”

Furthermore, the EPA’s order directs Chemours to test for PFAS in stormwater and effluent discharged from the Washington Works Facility and to implement a capture and destroy plan for chemicals of concern before discharging the wastewater. Chemours released a statement saying that the company “is committed to manufacturing its products responsibly.”

GAS PLANT COULD BE SENDING COAL ASH CONTAMINATED WATER INTO THE WHITE RIVER

www.IndyStar.com

Concerns around Martinsville’s Eagle Valley Natural Gas Plant have arisen due to the Plant's use of contaminated groundwater cycling back into the White River. The Eagle Valley Plant converted from coal to natural gas seven years ago; however, monitoring data shows that residual coal ash at the Plant has leeched heavy metals such as arsenic, boron, lithium, mercury, and molybdenum into the groundwater.

According to the Hoosier Environmental Council, the Plant is violating federal coal ash rules and is challenging the State’s decision to reissue Eagle Valley’s wastewater permit. AES plans to consolidate the coal ash at the Plant and cap it. In addition, AES Indiana released a statement committing to the safety of the communities it serves:

“AES Indiana, including its Eagle Valley Generating Station, takes pride in its compliance with the environmental regulations and permits issued by regulatory authorities that establish limits and requirements for the purpose of protecting human health and the environment."

RACKET MERCHANDISE WINS $5.8M JURY VERDICT AFTER RUNOFF FROM NEIGHBOR'S LOT DAMAGES ITS BASEMENT

www.BizJournals.com

After the property at 718 Grand Boulevard was razed in 2018, clay was brought in for backfilling and grading the lot. The work was never completed, and the clay was left in piles.

Heavy rain caused piles of clay to run off the vacant lot and flood the basement of Racket Merchandise Co. They then filed a suit in Jackson County Circuit Court, claiming damages, loss of property value, loss of rent, loss of use, nuisance and negligence. The company also maintained that the clay was occupying the property and brought an ejectment claim.

A Jackson County jury delivered a $5.8 million verdict in favor of Racket Merchandise on April 12. Brandon Boulware of Bouleware Law in Kansas City commented saying that the jury didn’t want to see is more blight coming into downtown Kansas City. They sent a very clear message that you can’t come into this city and create blight.

TORNADO DAMAGES UP TO 30 STRUCTURES IN BREVARD, NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAYS

Money.Yahoo.com

A tornado blew through Micco, Florida on Sunday, April 17th. It scored an EF-0 on the enhanced Fujita scale, had estimated maximum winds of 60-70 mph, was 300-400 feet wide and cut a path that was a third of a mile long.

The tornado damaged 25 to 30 structures in a mobile home village. The storm damaged carports, porches, front awnings, and caused one home to partially lose a roof in the River Grove community. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

GOODYEAR’S 2ND-LARGEST PLANT STILL RECOVERING AFTER MISSISSIPPI TORNADO

www.InsuranceJournal.com

Goodyear's second-largest production facility in North America in Tupelo, Mississippi, has temporarily halted operations after a destructive tornado struck the area. The tornado, part of a larger storm system that caused widespread damage and claimed at least 26 lives across the South and Midwest on April 1.

Repairs are currently underway at the Tupelo plant, and there is no specific timeline provided by Goodyear for when the approximately 1,700 workers can return to work. However, the company has assured employees that they will be paid during the shutdown period. The Tupelo plant is the second-largest production facility in Goodyear's North American network, producing an estimated 42,000 tires per day, according to Modern Tire Dealer.

The temporary halt in operations at Goodyear's second-largest tire plant highlights the potential impact on local property values, as a major employer and economic contributor to the area experiences disruptions.

EPA OUTLINES EXPEDITED EFFORTS TO INVESTIGATE AND ADDRESS CONTAMINATION AT LOWER NEPONSET RIVER SUPERFUND SITE

www.BostonGlobe.com

The U.S. EPA is prioritizing cleanup efforts at the Lower Neponset River Superfund site in Mattapan. Sampling will be conducted, and cleanup actions are being considered at Riverside Square and the Lewis Chemical site. Cleanup work at the Lewis Chemical site will begin in April, addressing PCB contamination and lasting around seven months. The EPA will implement measures in an effort to protect public health and develop a traffic management plan in collaboration with the City of Boston.

OFFICIALS RELEASE MAP OF HAZARDOUS FALLOUT FROM REFINERY MISHAP

www.LATimes.com

Martinez Refining Co., an oil refinery in the Bay Area, released approximately 24 tons of metal-laden ash over the Thanksgiving holiday. The fallout from this pollution affected a nearby junior high school and potentially spread up to a dozen miles into neighboring communities. Preliminary sampling revealed the presence of various metals in the released ash. A consulting firm has been selected to conduct a risk assessment and soil sampling to determine contamination levels and associated health risks. The upcoming risk assessment and soil sampling will provide further insights into the extent of the contamination and associated health risks.

ILLINOIS AG SUES MANUFACTURERS OVER CONTAMINATION FROM ‘FOREVER CHEMICALS’ IN FIREFIGHTING FOAM

www.ChicagoTribune.com

In a lawsuit filed by Illinois Attorney General, Kwame Raoul, multiple companies have been named that manufacture firefighting foam containing PFAS – commonly known as “forever chemicals.”

The lawsuit alleges that in manufacturing, selling and marketing the chemicals, the companies benefit while knowingly contaminating Illinois’ environment and natural resources, according to a news release from the Attorney General’s Office.

Aqueous film forming foam, or AFFF, is a fire suppressant used to extinguish flammable liquid fires such as fuel fires. “For years, manufacturers have been aware of the dangers of PFAS and AFFF yet still promote the chemicals as being safe to use. As a result, these ‘forever chemicals’ have contaminated water supplies across Illinois,” Raoul said. Similar suits were also filed by North Carolina, California and Wisconsin.

HURRICANE IAN MOST COSTLY STORM IN FLORIDA HISTORY

www.CNBC.com

Hurricane Ian damaged thousands of homes and buildings and is calculated at $109 billion, making it the costliest storm in Florida history, the Miami Herald reported. The storm also claimed roads and bridges.

“In Fort Myers Beach alone, an estimated 900 structures were totally destroyed, and 2,200 were damaged. In Lee County, at least 52,514 structures were impacted, of which 5,369 were destroyed and 14,245 received major damage,” according to the National Hurricane Center’s report.

Ian, which was downgraded to a tropical storm by the time it reached Florida’s west coast, is the third-most costly storm on record, behind Hurricane Katrina ($190 billion, adjusted) and Hurricane Harvey ($151.3 billion adjusted), according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

CITY OF LITTLE ROCK COLLECTING DATA ON STORM DAMAGE

www.THV11.com

A new damage assessment survey tool will allow the City of Little Rock officials to evaluate tornado damage and its impact on residents. The City has requested help from residents to catalog information about property damage online. Visitors will be asked to enter their contact information and the exact location of the property they are reporting about. They will also be able to provide general information about the property and submit photographs.

“The online damage assessment portal is yet another tool the City will use in the recovery and rebuilding effort,” Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. said. Additionally, visitors can utilize a “before and after” interactive tool that incorporates post-storm aerial photography.

50 PEOPLE DISPLACED AFTER APARTMENT COMPLEX DAMAGED IN STORM

Finance.Yahoo.com

On Wednesday April 5, 2023 a storm came through Louisville, Kentucky and displaced 50 people. A St. Andrews apartment complex called The Oaks had reports of toppled trees and wind damage due to the storms. Reporters on the ground showcase how the roof had completely blown off damaging an adjacent apartment complex. Additionally, several cars were damaged from fallen trees in the area. Red Cross was called to help residents that were displaced while LG&E works to restore power in the area.

DNR ISSUES EMERGENCY ORDER AGAINST DEVELOPERS OF CONTAMINATED MILWAUKEE APARTMENT COMPLEX

www.CBS58.com

The Community Within the Corridor in Milwaukee was evacuated after being notified of high levels of trichloroethylene (TCE). With over 150 residents evacuated the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has filed an emergency order. The order puts pressure on the developers to provide documentation of maps and data outlining the system meant to guard against TCE contamination.

Officials had stated that they previously recommended several times for developers to wait to occupy the building. Along with Tuesday's deadline, the developers have 45 days to submit documentation describing the outcome of their cleanup efforts.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR HOMES CONTAMINATED BY THE J.H. BAXTER WOOD TREATMENT PLANT IN WEST EUGENE

www.RegisterGuard.com

The J.H. Baxter facility site is located off Rossevelt Boulevard within the Bethel community. Neighbors would complain about smells emitting from the facility peaking in 2004 with 762 air quality complaints. An investigation by the Oregon Health Authority and the Environmental Health Assessment Program found that homes near the facility have high levels of dioxin.

Homes that have high dioxin levels are recommended to take precautions such as removing shoes and wiping feet before entering one’s house. Additionally, it is recommended to avoid activities that may disturb large amounts of soil such as digging holes. The Department of Environmental Quality plans to remove the contaminated soil and replace it with clean soil.