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Radioactive
waste
from New
York
headed
to
Western
Wayne
County
By
Wendell
Bryant
tellusdetroit.com
DETROIT/BELLEVILLE
- The
impending
transportation
of
radioactive
waste to
Wayne
County
brings
about
significant
concerns
regarding
hazardous
waste
management
and
disposal
practices.
While
acknowledging
the
necessity
of
managing
such
materials,
it is
imperative
to
explore
alternative
solutions
that do
not
disproportionately
burden
Wayne
County
with
unwanted
waste.
The
proposed
transport
of soil,
concrete,
and
groundwater
contaminated
with
elevated
radiation
from a
historical
atomic
bomb
development
site in
New York
presents
a
disconcerting
prospect.
The
estimated
arrival
of 25
semi-trucks
per week
carrying
the
waste
into
Wayne
County
warrants
serious
consideration
and
raises
legitimate
apprehensions
among
local
residents.
This
situation
evokes
distressing
memories
of
previous
incidents,
such as
the
Norfolk
Southern
railway
catastrophe
in East
Palestine,
Ohio,
which
profoundly
impacted
the
community.
Consequently,
proactive
measures
were
taken to
prevent
the
transportation
of
hazardous
waste to
Wayne
County
without
appropriate
notification,
underscoring
the
requisite
for
heightened
oversight
and
regulation
by
governing
bodies.
Elected
representatives,
including
Congresswoman
Debbie
Dingell
and
Congresswoman
Rashida
Tlaib,
have
staunchly
advocated
for
enhanced
EPA
oversight
of
hazardous
waste
storage
and have
opposed
the
location
of such
facilities
in
densely
populated
areas.
The
bipartisan
support
for new
state
regulations
concerning
the
transportation
and
storage
of
hazardous
materials
reflects
a
collective
dedication
to
safeguarding
communities
from the
adverse
impacts
of
hazardous
waste.
As
Michigan's
most
densely
populated
and
diverse
community,
Wayne
County
has
borne
the
environmental
burden
of being
a
repository
for
hazardous
waste
for an
extended
period.
The
detrimental
impact
of this
environmental
injustice
on the
health
of
residents
cannot
be
overstated.
Elevated
rates of
respiratory
illnesses
and
other
health
concerns
underscore
the
urgent
necessity
to
oppose
the
transport
and
disposal
of
hazardous
materials
in our
community.
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