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Monday, October 11, 2004

Environment - Stories today

A front-page, above-the-fold story today in the Indianapolis Star today by Star environmental reporter Tammy Webber focuses on the role of the environment in Indiana's governor's race. The headline: "Governor's race: Pollution concerns are taking back seat." Some quotes:

Most urban areas in Indiana violate the federal air pollution standard for smog. The state's coal-fired power plants emit the country's fourth-highest volume of mercury into the air.

Almost every waterway has a warning against eating too many fish because of mercury and PCB contamination. And about 20 billion gallons of sewage-tainted wastewater overflows into rivers and streams every year from antiquated sewer systems in 105 cities and towns.

Yet when Gov. Joe Kernan and Republican challenger Mitch Daniels mention environmental matters, the conversation usually centers on how quickly the Indiana Department of Environmental Management issues permits for agriculture and other industries.

Another Tammy Webber story appears on the front page of today's Star's City-State section and is headlined: "Odor has New Castle residents fuming: Officials have not determined the source, or whether it poses a risk to public health." The story recounts not only the problems of New Castle but those of other communities arounf the state facing similar issues (for earlier ILB coverage, type "odor" in the search box). Some quotes:
New Castle is not the only Indiana town struggling to explain an environmental phenomenon. But it is the latest illustration of how elusive answers can be.

• In Martinsville, prosecutors, judges and the county clerk this summer abandoned the Morgan County Courthouse because of illnesses ranging from headaches and respiratory problems to a metallic taste and blistered lips. Tests by state health officials, the state Occupational Safety and Health Administration and an outside consultant have found nothing in the building that could cause health problems. County officials say they'll ask the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help investigate.

• More than 100 Kokomo residents claim they've become sick because of a constant hum. Tests commissioned by the city found low-frequency vibrations from two industries. Although the companies steadied the vibrations, many say the hum persists and suspect electromagnetic radiation emitted by radio towers and power lines are to blame.

• Similar problems with low-frequency vibrations were reported in South Bend, and residents in both cities are calling on state officials to investigate and hold a conference on the issue. State officials say they don't have the expertise to investigate and requests for help to the CDC and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have gone unheeded.

"Lugar questions why Indiana didn't get federal lead eradication money" is the headline of this story today in the Munster Times. Some quotes:
FORT WAYNE (AP) -- Sen. Dick Lugar is questioning why Indiana did not receive federal money to aid programs that try to protect children from lead poisoning.

Lugar, R-Ind., has asked the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to explain why nine Indiana agencies, cities or counties that applied for a total of more than $12 million in grants were denied.

Tom Neltner, director of the Indianapolis-based advocacy group Improving Kids' Environment, reported that the grants were denied. Neltner, whose group has led a strong push to protect children from lead hazards, said HUD last month awarded $168 million to 72 programs in 28 states.

He said he found it odd that Indiana was locked out after recently completing a statewide Childhood Lead Poisoning Elimination Plan that was approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on October 11, 2004 07:05 AM
Posted to Environmental Issues