MEXICO CLOSES CANTALOUPE PLANT TEMPORARILY AMID DEADLY SALMONELLA OUTBREAK

Reuters.com

On December 15, 2023 Mexico’s government says that a cantaloupe processing plant has been temporarily closed while investigating the source of a salmonella contamination that has killed at least nine people in the U.S. and Canada. Mexican health officials ordered temporary suspension of activities at the plant in the northern state of Sonora after two visits in which samples were taken and pending results.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Canada's public health agency (PHAC) reported nine deaths and hundreds of illnesses from salmonella since October. Four deaths were reported by the CDC. Five were reported by PHAC, according to Canadian media.

Health authorities in both countries have implicated Malichita and Rudy brand cantaloupes as sources of the outbreak. Batches of canteloupes have been returned to Mexico from the U.S while the Mexican government said that it was working to prevent contaminated products from being distributed to the market.

TIJUANA AND ROSARITO HAVE THE MOST SEWAGE CONTAMINATED BEACHES IN MEXICO

Fox5SanDiego.com

Six beaches in Tijuana and Rosarito were labeled by Mexico’s federal commission against sanitary risks as the most polluted beaches in Mexico with fecal matter. According to the agency, the level of contamination far exceeds the level set by the World Health Organization and “immediate actions need to take place at these six beaches to prevent health risks for tourists and Mexican nationals”.

The source of the contamination is believed to be untreated sewage from a plant in Punta Bandera approximately 5 miles south of the border. Additionally, the Tijuana River has millions of gallons of raw sewage flowing from Mexico into the U.S. and out to the ocean.

Plans are underway to refurbish the Punta Bandera facility according to the state of Baja California. Concurrently, additional projects financed by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement on both sides of the border are expected to begin in 2024 and aim to treat and reduce the flow of raw sewage into the Pacific Ocean.

FIRE CAUSES ABOUT $100,000 IN DAMAGE TO SANTA ROSA RESIDENTIAL STORAGE BARN

PressDemocrat.com

Firefights responded to a structure fire on Burbank Avenue in Santa Rosa that involved six fire engines and two trucks. The structure on fire was a residential storage barn which suffered heavy damage. The fire took approximately 30 minutes to contain and several hours to cleanup and extinguish hot spots.

In addition, fire and smoke damage was found at a living room space attached to the storage barn. Overall, the damage to the structure was estimated to be around $100,000. There were no reported injuries and the fire appeared to have been started by a portable propane heater intended for outdoor use; however, an investigation is still ongoing.

PROPERTY DAMAGE FROM NOR’EASTER NEARLY QUADRUPLES DAMAGE FROM HURRICANE IDALIA

Live5News.com

A costal storm in Charleston has nearly quadrupled the reported number of damaged houses and businesses after Hurricane Idalia. According to the owner of Sheila’s Shamrocks the amount of storm water was “unexpected” and resulted in “[t]he entire front store flood[ing]” along with the roof leaking. The store lost merchandise and had to close for repairs.

There are four categories the City places damages to homes and businesses in: affected, minor, major and destroyed. Affected describes when a building only took a small amount of damage and is habitable without repairs. Minor means the building is inhabitable but can be fixed within 30 days and the damage repairs will cost less than half of the home’s value. Major means the building is inhabitable and will require extensive repairs that will take over 30 days. Destroyed means the building is totally lost.

The data is used to guide future stormwater projects, and it is also used as background information when a property owner is interested in having the City acquire their property. 

SYDNEY’S ROZELLE PARKLANDS TO REMAIN SHUT FOR AT LEAST SIX WEEKS DUE TO ASBESTOS CONTAMINATION

Asbestos was found in garden mulch beside a playground in Sydney’s inner west, resulting in the NSW EPA issuing a clean up notice to the Department of Transport. Following the initial discovery, asbestos has been found in an additional 14 locations in and around the park.

The park is estimated to remain closed for at least six weeks while the mulch on site is removed and replaced. Greenlife Resource Recovery was the supplier for the recycled garden mulch; however, the source of the contamination is still under investigation.

YEAR AFTER BROKEN WATER PIPE FLOODED HOUSE, LA HOMEOWNER WAITING FOR COMPENSATION

NBCLosAngeles.com

A homeowner in Los Angeles has been engaged with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP) for almost 1 year after a water main broke, flooding and destroying her home. The night of the incident, the DWP arrived at the property to assess the damage and advised the owner to seek compensation from her homeowner’s insurance.

The homeowner’s insurance responded to the claim informing the her that their “policy does not provide coverage [for] damage caused by water or flood” from a water main break off the property”. Afterwards, the homeowner filed a claim with DWP for compensation but has not received any determination.

Currently, the homeowner has filed a lawsuit against the DWP seeking compensation for the damages that she says are well over $1 million.

THIS NORTH JERSEY TOWN REACHED $3M SETTLEMENT WITH 3M, DUPONT FOR POLLUTED WATER

PFASProject.com

The town of Hawthorne, New Jersey reached a $3 million settlement with 3M and Dupont for allegedly polluting the local water supply with PFAS. The lawsuit claimed that the companies manufactured, marketed, and sold products containing per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances for decades. The lawsuit alleged these companies knew that PFAS would contaminate groundwater if released into the environment. Consumers were charged 13% more annually for their water use.

LINCOLN TO TAKE INDEPENDENT PATH IN WATER CONTAMINATION LAWSUIT

AspenJournalism.org

Lincoln City Council is pursuing an independent settlement with the makers of a contaminant affecting north Alabama’s water supply. The settlement names 3M and DuPont as responsible for the presence of PFAS in water sources. Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances have been identified by the EPA as highly toxic chemicals. Reportedly, 3M has polluted water supplies in Guin and the City of Decatur by dumping PFAS chemicals near their Alabama facilities.

STRONG WINDS CAUSE POWER OUTAGES, PROPERTY DAMAGE IN WESTERN WASHINGTON THURSDAY

SeattleTimes.com

A power outage occurred in a neighborhood in Bellevue, Washington. Strong winds caused electric poles and trees to topple. One tree fell on two cars in a quiet neighborhood. Deliveries were delayed. Roads and businesses were temporarily closed due to the outage.

RADIOACTIVE SPILL CASTS DOUBT ON JAPAN'S WASTEWATER RELEASE

CNN.com

Contaminated water spilled into the ocean after a hose detached from Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. While the initial estimate of the spill was 100 millimeters, Tokyo Electric Power Corp. disclosed in a press conference that the actual amount was several liters. The contaminated water spilled onto a cleaning crew of five people. Two were found to have high levels of radiation exposure and required medical attention. The Korean government stated that the accident has not compromised the safety of the Advanced Liquid Processing System used to filter contaminants.

ABANDONED OIL MESS STILL PLAGUES COMMUNITIES IN THE ECUADORIAN AMAZON

MongaBay.com

The environmental devastation caused by decades of oil extraction in Ecuador’s Amazon persists, with no effective cleanup efforts by the government or oil companies. Over 1,110 environmental liabilities and 3,500 contamination sources scar the region.

Petroecuador, the state-owned oil company has inherited Texaco’s legacy of oil-filled pools, rendering land infertile and water sources toxic. The health impact remains undocumented, but suspicions of increased cancer cases persist.

$33M SETTLEMENT REACHED OVER PORTLAND HARBOR CONTAMINANTS

OPB.org

A $33 million dollar settlement has been reached in the case of contaminants released into the Willamette River, causing real estate damages in the Portland Harbor area.

Over 20 Potentially Responsible Parties, including the City of Portland and various corporations, will pay for the restoration of natural resources and public damages. The contamination involved hazardous substances like PCBs, copper, lead, and mercury. Restoration projects will include habitats for bald eagles, mink, and lamprey, as well as native plant restoration.

A unique feature of the settlement is the use of restoration credits, which allow for quicker and cost-effective on-the-ground restoration. The agreement has support from tribal communities affected by the contamination, and negotiations with other parties are ongoing.

ST. LOUIS JURY ORDERS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS TO PAY $1.8 BILLION IN CLASS ACTION SUIT

WSJ.com

A recent federal court decision has rocked the real estate industry, potentially costing the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and major brokerages nearly $1.8 billion in damages. The lawsuit, filed in 2019 on behalf of 500,000 Missouri home sellers, alleges that the defendants artificially inflated commissions paid to real estate agents, violating federal antitrust law.

If treble damages are awarded, the total could exceed $5 billion. The focus of these lawsuits is NAR's rule requiring home sellers to pay the buyer's agent's commission, in addition to their listing agent's fee. Plaintiffs argue this practice keeps commissions artificially high and stifles competition.

While the NAR defends its policies, the outcome of these lawsuits could reshape industry practices and commission structures. The current process has buyer agent’s commissions added to the sale price of the house, inflating the sale price. According to Stephen Brobeck, senior fellow at the Consumer Federation of America, “If sellers no longer had to pay the buyer agents, there wouldn’t be that inflation and buyers could negotiate the commission down and they would end up paying less money.”

DELAWARE FILED LAWSUIT AGAINST 3M FOR ALLEGED ROLE IN PFAS CONTAMINATION

CNBC.com

The State of Delaware is taking legal action against chemical giant 3M for its alleged involvement in toxic PFAS contamination. The lawsuit claims that 3M and other manufacturers were aware of the health risks associated with PFAS as far back as the 1960s but failed to provide warnings about the dangers associated with firefighting foam containing these chemicals.

PFAS, known as “forever chemicals,” can persist in the environment and the human bloodstream for extended periods, with links to various health conditions, including cancers. The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed limits on PFAS in public drinking water systems. However, residents relying on private wells remain vulnerable to contamination, prompting calls for comprehensive monitoring and infrastructure projects to ensure clean water access for all.

THEY LIVE NEAR A FORMER WOOD TREATMENT PLANT. NOW THEY AWAIT RESULTS OF A CANCER INVESTIGATION

CBC.ca

A married father of three, the 43-year-old Bera is afraid of the contaminated soil found near his northeast Edmonton home and what it means for the health of his family. Bera's home overlooks a former Domtar wood treatment plant, which is now slated to become a new neighborhood. Remediation work on the former creosote plant was approved by Alberta Environment. Reports suggest that the area where Bera’s home stands was once used for the storage of raw untreated wood. Testing done in his backyard found dangerous concentrations of chemicals.

Bera says his children often struggle to breathe, and frequent hospital visits have left him wondering if the soil is making them sick. Soil testing also showed more than 180 samples from nearly 1,500 specimens had levels of toxins exceeding health guidelines. In the fall of 2022, remediation began on four parcels, including a city-owned greenbelt and the now-empty plant lands that are slated for infill development. The province said risk management and long-term monitoring plans, completed last year, will manage the risk of residual contamination and ensure polluted soil buried on site is not disturbed.

TAP WATER OF MORE THAN 19 MILLION AMERICANS POLLUTED BY ‘CIVIL ACTION’ CARCINOGEN THAT EPA IS POISED TO BAN

SmartWaterMagazine.com

An updated interactive map by The Environmental Working Group shows where drinking water for more than 19 million Americans are contaminated by the cancer-causing solvent trichloroethylene (TCE). The map update adds 243 new detections of toxic TCE drinking water to the earlier version of the map released in 2018. The map now identifies 426 areas affecting U.S. drinking water.

Drinking water contaminated by TCE has been linked to leukemia and liver and kidney damage. It has been used for degreasing and cleaning metal parts in factories but was classified as a “human carcinogen” in 2011 by the EPA.

NEEDHAM EXPLOSION SHAKES RESIDENTS: UTILITY DAMAGE TRIGGERS BLAST IN MASSACHUSETTS TOWN

WCVB.com

On Saturday November 4, an explosion occurred in the town of Needham Massachusetts. The explosion happened on Prince Street resulting in minor injuries to one person and significant property damage. The cause of the explosion can be traced to utility damage within the home’s gas service connection. Firefighters were at the scene at 8 a.m. tackling heavy flames. No residents were home during the explosion.

FIRST TORNADO IN GRANT COUNTY IN MORE THAN A CENTURY DAMAGES HOMES AND PROPERTY

Chronicle-Tribune.com

In canyon city a tornado touched down on Sunday November 5, 2023. According to Grant County Emergency Management Coordinator Eric Bush nobody was injured however two homes, two sheds, and three vehicles were damaged. Sheriff Todd McKinley said that the tornado was strong enough to move a 28-foot trailer 9 feet north and two feet east. Weather officials from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration messaged Bush saying that they were going to rate the storm as an EF 0 tornado. According to bush the last recorded tornado in Grant County happened in 1890.

PORTIONS OF RIVER ROUGE PARK CLOSED DUE TO HEAVY METAL CONTAMINATION

BridgeMI.com

Soil sampling performed by the EPA and Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy found varying levels of contamination at the following parks, Belanger Park, Great Lakes Athletic Field, and John Jakubowski Park in the city of River Rouge. The EPA defines soil lead hazard as bare soil at or exceeding 400 parts per million on residential property or on a property with a child-occupied facility.

Belanger Park soil samples found elevated levels of lead and cadmium above the EPA’s residential direct contact criteria. As a result, sections of the Park were closed until remediation could begin.

The Great Lakes Athletic Field soil samples for the top 6 inches were found to be below the EPA’s residential contact criteria; however, higher levels of lead and cadmium samples were found below 6 inches.

Soil samples at John Jakubowski Park found contamination below the EPA’s residential contact criteria in the top 6 inches of soil but found lead and cadmium at higher levels deeper down in the soil.

EPA ANNOUNCES $45 MILLION WIFIA LOAN TO PROVIDE CENTRALIZED WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE IN SARPY COUNTY, NEBRASKA

WWDMAG.com

The EPA announced a $45 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to Sarpy County and Cities Wastewater Agency. The loan will install a new wastewater transmission system for approximately 200,000 residents who currently lack access to centralized wastewater treatment.

The Project will move approximately 13 million gallons of wastewater per day and will better protect residents and the environment from potential wastewater contamination. Furthermore, the project will create approximately 450 new jobs and will reduce costs for homeowners.