Tennessee Ash Spill 3X Larger Than Originally Thought
Authorities are now saying that the ash leak that devastated areas surrounding the Kingston coal-fired power plant in Tennessee is over three times the original estimated size. Rather than the 1.7 million cubic yards of wet coal ash, an aerial survey that the TVA conducted on Thursday revealed the flood was actually 5.4 million cubic yards. The spill in Tennessee is over 120 times the size of the Exxon Valdez.
[Emory River. Creative Commons photo by Chris]
Even before these updated numbers, it was the largest toxic spill in U.S. history. According to the New York Times, water in surrounding areas is showing lead and thallium contamination. These chemicals are linked to birth defects and nervous disorders.
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While the EPA and TVA are saying that water treatment processes filters out the contaminants, residents have serious concerns. Many residents, for example, rely on well water which does not undergo these treatments. A cleanup effort is underway, but there is still the question of long term issues. Deanna Copeland said:
…what happens if this liquid dries out? There are huge health concerns. It’s going to get in our house. We’re going to breathe it in. It would be like walking through a dust bowl, and we don’t know what’s in the dust.
Meanwhile, the TVA police have detained two activists for taking photographs of the spill site - David Cooper and Matt Landon from United Mountain Defense. Like area residents, the group is frustrated that the EPA and the TVA have yet to release results from water toxicity testing.
You can watch some disturbing video of the spill over at Red, Green, and Blue.
Can folks still entertain the idea of “clean coal” after a disaster like this? Coal ash is not currently regulated as a hazardous material.
