Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Citizen Meeting Tonight .. 110 Westport Village Road 7:00pm

There will be a meeting held tonight to discuss the proposed asphalt plant and what can be done to stop it from being built and ruining the lives of nearby residents, of Swanzey and Winchester. We ask that everyone who is concerned about the health hazards this plant would subject us to and the increased noise and truck traffic to please attend and offer your support in our efforts to stop this venture from being built on the grounds of the old P&H sand and stone pit on Route 10 in the town of Winchester's protected Aquifer District. This proposed plant will severely impact residents of Winchester living along Route #10 and in the Combs Bridge/Old Westport Road area and also the Swanzey residents living in the Westport Village area and the Pine Grove mobile home park more than any other habitations with the release of toxic chemicals such as;

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S). ... Hydrogen sulfide is a poisonous, colorless gas that is associated with the characteristic smell of rotten eggs. Exposure tends to be a problem in communities located near certain types of industrial sites that release hydrogen sulfide. People who live near an industrial facility that emits hydrogen sulfide may be exposed to higher levels of hydrogen sulfide. Exposure to hydrogen sulfide occurs from breathing contaminated air or drinking contaminated water. Hydrogen sulfide remains in the air for about 18 hrs. after which it changes into sulfur dioxide and sulfuric acid. Hydrogen sulfide may also be released as a liquid waste from an industrial facility. It is not known whether children are more sensitive to hydrogen sulfide than adults nor is it known if hydrogen sulfide causes birth defects (ToxFAQs for Hydrogen Sulfide, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, July 2006, CAS #7783-06-04.)
Exposures to high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide may result in respiratory distress, pulmonary edema, nervous system depression, neurobehavioral effects, tissue hypoxia, cardiovascular effects, unconsciousness and death. Exposure to lower concentrations of hydrogen sulfide can result in less severe neurological and respiratory effects such as incoordination, loss of smell, nasal symptoms, sore throat, cough, and dyspnea. Some evidence suggests that people with asthma may be overly sensitive to hydrogen sulfide, and impaired
function has been observed in people with asthma who were exposed to low levels of hydrogen sulfide.
One community exposure study found an increased prevalence of eye irritations in residents exposed to low levels of hydrogen sulfide. Numerous case reports suggest that high exposures to respiratory arrest and pulmonary edema can occur after a brief exposure to hydrogen sulfide.
Although most people recover after exposure to hydrogen sulfide many individuals report permanent or persistent neurological effects including headache, poor concentration ability and attention span, impaired short memory and motor function (Toxicological Profile for Hydrogen Sulfide,US Department of Health and Human Services, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 2006).

Benzene. ... Benzene, also known as benzol, is a colorless liquid with a sweet odor. Benzene is a known carcinogen or cancer-causing agent. Benzene enters the body through the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, and across the skin. Brief exposure (5-10 minutes) to very high levels of benzene in air can result in death. Lower levels of exposure can cause drowsiness, dizziness, rapid heart rate, headaches, tremors, confusion, and unconsciousness. Continuous exposure to benzene can lead to anemia and excessive bleeding, and may be harmful to the immune system by increasing the chance for infection and perhaps lowering the body's defense against cancer.
Exposure to benzene has been associated with development of a particular type of leukemia called acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The Department of Health and Human Services, the International Agency for Cancer Research and the EPA has determined that benzene causes cancer.
Exposure to benzene may be harmful to human reproductive organs. Benzene can pass from the mother's blood to a fetus, but it is not known what effects exposure to benzene might have on the developing fetus in pregnant women or on fertility in men. However, studies with pregnant animals show that breathing benzene has harmful effects on the developing fetus.
These effects include low birth weight, delayed bone formation, and bone marrow damage. Children can be affected by benzene exposure in the same ways as adults, and is not known if children are more susceptible to benzene poisoning than adults (Public Health Statement for Benzene, Draft for Public Comment, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, September 2005, CAS#: 71-43-2).

Chromium. ... Chromium is a naturally occurring element found in rocks, animals, plants, soil, and in volcanic dust and gases. Chromium cannot be tasted and has no odor. Chromium is present in the environment in several different forms. The most common forms are chromium(0), chromium(III), and chromium(VI), also known as hexavalent chromium. Chromium(VI) and chromium(0) are usually produced by industrial processes. Breathing high levels of chromium(VI) can cause irritation to the nose, such as runny nose, nosebleeds, and ulcers and holes in the nasal septum. Chromium(VI) at high levels can damage the nose and can cause cancer. Ingesting large amounts of chromium(VI) can cause stomach upsets and ulcers, convulsions, kidney and liver damage, and even death. Skin contact with certain chromium(VI) compounds can cause skin ulcers. Some people are extremely sensitive to chromium(VI) or chromium(III). Allergic reactions consisting of severe redness and swelling of the skin have been noted (ToxFAQs for Chromium, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, February 2001, CAS#: 7440-47-3).

Formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a nearly colorless gas with a pungent, irritating odor even at very low concentrations (below 1 ppm). Formaldehyde is a potent sensitizer and a probable human carcinogen or cancer-causing agent. Formaldehyde is an eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritant; inhalation of vapors can produce narrowing of the bronchi and accumulation of fluid in the lungs.
Children may be more susceptible than adults to the respiratory effects of formaldehyde. Even fairly low concentrations of formaldehyde can produce rapid onset of nose and throat irritation, causing cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, and wheezing. Higher exposures can cause significant inflammation of the lower respiratory tract, resulting in swelling of the throat, inflammation of the windpipe and bronchi, narrowing of the bronchi, inflammation of the lungs,and accumulation of fluid in the lungs (Medical Management Guidelines for Formaldehyde, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, CAS#: 50-00-0, updated 11/02/06).

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHS). ... Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of over 100 different chemicals that are formed during the incomplete burning of coal, oil and gas, garbage, or other organic substances and found in coal tar, crude oil, creosote, and roofing tar. The Department of Health and Human Services has determined that some PAHs may reasonably be expected to cause cancer. Some people who have breathed or touched mixtures of PAHs and other chemicals for long periods of time have developed cancer.
Certain PAHs have caused cancer in laboratory animals when they breathed air containing them (lung cancer), ingested them in food (stomach cancer) or had them applied to their skin (skin cancer). PAHs are found in air attached to dust particles, and can enter water through discharges from industrial and wastewater treatment plants where they can move through soil to contaminate groundwater. The PAH contents of plants and animals may be much higher than PAH contents of soil or water in which they live (ToxFAQs for Polycyclic
Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, September 1996).

Cadmium. ... Cadmium is an element that occurs naturally in the earth's crust. Pure cadmium is a soft, silver-white metal that attaches to small particles in the air. People who live near hazardous waste sites or factories that release cadmium into the air have the potential for exposure to cadmium in air.Breathing air with very high levels of cadmium can severely damage the lungs and may cause death. Breathing air with lower levels of cadmium over long periods of time (for years) may result kidney disease, lung damage and fragile bones. Data on human exposure to cadmium is limited, but studies show that rats that breathed in cadmium developed lung cancer, liver damage and changes in the immune system. Female rats and mice that breathed high levels of cadmium had fewer litters, babies with more birth defects than usual, reduced body weight, babies born with behavioral problems and learning disabilities. As a conservative approach, and based on the limited human data and the studies in rats, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that cadmium and cadmium compounds may reasonably be anticipated to be carcinogens. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that cadmium is a carcinogenic to humans. The EPA has determined that cadmium is a probable human carcinogen by inhalation (Public Health Statement for Cadmium, Agency for Toxic Substances
and Disease Registry, July, 1999, CAS # 1306-19-0).

Arsenic. ... Arsenic occurs naturally in soil and minerals and it therefore may enter the air, water, and land from wind-blown dust and may get into water from runoff and leaching. Arsenic released from power plants and other combustion processes is usually attached to very small dust particles. These dust particles settle to the ground or are washed out of the air by rain. Arsenic attached to dust may stay in the air for many days and travel long distances. Ultimately, most arsenic ends up in the soil or sediment. Children may also be exposed to arsenic by eating dirt, skin contact with soil or water that contains arsenic, or through inhalation. If you breathe air that contains arsenic dust, particles of arsenic-contaminated dust may settle onto the lining of the lungs.
Inorganic arsenic is usually found in the environment combined with other elements such as oxygen, chlorine, and sulfur. Arsenic combined with carbon and hydrogen is referred to as organic arsenic. Long-term oral exposure to inorganic arsenic can results in a pattern of skin changes called "corns" or "warts" on the palms, soles, and torso that may develop into skin cancer. Swallowing arsenic has also been reported to increase the risk of cancer in the liver, bladder, kidneys, prostate, and lungs. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that inorganic arsenic is known to cause cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that inorganic arsenic is carcinogenic to humans. The EPA also has classified inorganic arsenic as a known human carcinogen. Breathing high levels of inorganic arsenic will result in a sore throat, irritated lungs and the potential to develop lung cancer. This has been seen mostly in workers exposed to arsenic at smelters, mines, and chemical factories, but also in residents living near smelters and chemical factories. People who live near waste sites with arsenic may have an increased risk of lung cancer as well. High doses of an organic arsenic compound may result in nerve injury, stomach irritation or other effects. All health effects observed in adults are of potential concern in children. Children may be more susceptible to health effects from inorganic arsenic than adults, and there is evidence that suggests that long-term exposure to arsenic in children may result in lower IQ scores (Public Health Statement for Arsenic, Draft for Public Comment, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, September 2005, CAS#: 7440-38-2).

This is not a good thing for Winchester and Swanzey residents, it offers no benefits to either town and provides too many health risks to even be considered worthy of approval.

Please attend tonight's meeting at the home of Bud and Carol Keene, 110 Westport Village Road ( off Route #10 )  at 7:00pm. They can be reached at 352-6218 for directions. ( red house across from church )

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Are you posting signs around town? Kulick's, Mr. Mike's etc for those who do not access the Informer site??? Pretty short notice. I for one would love to come as I live near the area but can not attend tonight. Hurrah for whoever is hosting this!!!!!!!!!!! Wish I could be there but will be part of whatever comes out of the meeting for sure.

Anonymous said...

Call the Sentinel and have them there!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

So how many Winchester residents went to this meeting? Where's your signs folks? I drove around town and didn't see a single one anywhere. Looks like it's the same old shitz with you folks, all talk no action.

Anonymous said...

You should look at it this way, The planning board and or zoning board are letting this happen in this certain tract of land for 2 possible reasons, Its not very populated, and some of the closest residents are the 2 homes who started and support the Informer
maybe the squeeky wheel has been oiled and oiled well.
Just some food for thought

Anonymous said...

If you are referring to Mr. Homan and Mr. Towne and their fight against that contractor and the town and suggesting that this is a payback for them having the guts to stand up for themselves, it could be why this is happening; but before I'd try putting the blame on them do you think they will stand idly by and let those boards ruin their livelihood, I doubt it very much. Besides this shyt affects a lot more people than just them, we're talking hundreds of homes in that area which will be forced to put up with the smells and noise and extra traffic. You can bet even money someone will sue the town over this and possibly win with so many effected. I'll bet the town of Swanzey gets involved too, after all most of those folks are Swanzey residents.

Anonymous said...

RE: Anonymous said...
So how many Winchester residents went to this meeting? Where's your signs folks? I drove around town and didn't see a single one anywhere. Looks like it's the same old shitz with you folks, all talk no action.

September 29, 2010 7:13 PM

What's your concern in this that you would drive all around town looking for signs? And you want to know how many people came? An address was posted, did you stop in or do you need a map? A little paranoia or nothing better to do?

Believe it or not sometimes it takes a small army to win the war.

Just depends on how you use your resources.

A year ago fewer people knew of the Informer or what was going on in their little neck of the woods.

A year ago only a few knew of the real problems.

The lid can't be kept on for forever.

But rest assured, today many, many people have been able to get information here that otherwise would have been withheld. Truthful information.

And that, my friend, speaks volumes for the rest of you driving around looking for signs that things are changing, because slowly, surely, things are changing and that can only be a good thing.

????????? said...

There has got to be a reason why these boards and depts. refuse to play by the rules. Somethings funny because it would be so easy to get rid of the Informer by doing whats correct. It must be worth the hassle,but sooner or later the hammer will fall.

Anonymous said...

I wonder how Van Dyke feels about this plant? Has his project been shut down permanently? Also, why is Mitchell so intent on bringing this type of business to Winchester? I think he tried to put a gravel pit on Burt Hill Road a few years back and Beaman and group fought him with lawyers? Hummmm

the Winchester Informer said...

Despite citizen concerns and the fact an appeal/reconsideration request has been filed with the town over the ZBA's decision to ignore our Code Enforcement Officer's denial on the grounds this is not allowed in our Protected Aquifer District, the Planning and Zoning boards have scheduled a joint meeting this coming Thursday, October 7th, @ 7:00pm, to discuss this proposed asphalt plant despite no application or abutters list having been filed as required by law. SVE is in a hurry to get this plant built before the state starts building the new bridge over the Ashuelot River and implementing their plans to move and widen the highway. Another case of greed driving our boards to make a decision before all the facts are in. Their actions prove beyond a doubt, that these boards are more concerned with an outsider from Massachusetts than the citizens of Winchester they are required to protect. I guess they have forgotten they work for us, are suppose to protect the town and it's citizen's from harmful businesses and projects and honor the oath of office they took when elected and appointed by our very own BOS.

If they continue to rush to judgment, a joint lawsuit by citizens of Winchester and Swanzey will be filed in Superior Court.

Anonymous said...

Once again when "Ms. Sharra" and company are told NO they try and circumvent the system. Perhaps this time when the judge tells her NO the BOS will get a set of brass ones and fire her. How much more money does the town have to pay for her arrogance?

Anonymous said...

To the poster on 9/30 at 9:32 am: let me comment on the Burt Hill deal. Ms. Beaman asked if people on the hill would be willing to help get rid of the gravel pit that Mr. Mitchell wanted to put in. She, without asking anyone hired an attorney,then sent bills to the homeowners on the hill. If you elected not to pay the bill and wanted work done on your property by the Beaman's they figured out a way to get your share of the attorney's fees. However, they neglected to ask some of us, who have attorney's as relatives, if they would do the work for free. Oh, and the reason that this was a hot issue is that it would impact her sisters properties. We all hear the noise from the gravel pit on the Northfield side. Now you have the real story! Take this information and ponder it.

Anonymous said...

do you think that because most of the people are not joining you on this doesnt mean they dont care, it may just mean they like the idea of this being put in in a very lightly populated space on rt 10 that is already zoned for commercial stuff like this. With sand pits, concrete yards, junk yards & race tracks it seems very smart that if we are going to have businesses like this in town this is the proper place for it. Just because there is a couple houses(Mr Homan & Mr Towne) you didnt really expect everyone else to join your cause? Did you? If you choose to live on a highway that has been and going to be developed in this way whos fault is that?

am thankful said...

To the anonymous poster above; This project is being proposed for the agricultural and protected aquifer zone, not the commercial zone. It is going to be a project of great impact to the area that will clearly affect more people than just Mr. Homan and Mr.Town and their families. It will affect the whole region as these dangerous and toxic fumes will travel at least 1.8 miles before they start to dissipate. So draw a circle around that area and see just how many people will actually be forced to breath that toxic air and put up with the noise and smells that don't live on the highway. Besides that fact, it is a business that is not allowed in our aquifer under the clean water act. Do your homework before you start commenting on something you obviously aren't well versed on. If it weren't for people like Mr. Town and Mr. Homan, many of us wouldn't have a clue into what really goes on behind closed doors in this town and the people who are running Winchester into the ground for their own personal gains. Thank your lucky stars we have people in town who are willing to step forward to try and preserve the rights of everyone and bring information to all of us at the risk of personal ridicule and obvious contempt.

Mr. Towne said...

To the anonymous poster who singled me out;

First of all I do not live on the highway, though a portion of my property abuts the highway, my address is Westport Village Rd. My home sits quite a ways from the highway.

Secondly, this area is far from lightly populated. Besides many homes in Winchester, you also have another couple of hundred in Swanzey in the immediate area that will be affected. So much so, that residents circulated a petition to their BOS and other boards to help them fight this proposed plant. I guess they are just troublemakers too.

Third concern is that this is a project of regional impact that will affect the lives of many people, especially those with breathing problems already, like my wife who suffers from chronic COPD and relies on two inhalers to make it through most days. If this plant is allowed to operate she will be forced to be spending more time indoors or in the emergency room as will others with the same issues. How is this protecting the citizens of town from known health hazards?

And lastly, this is not just my cause as you so eloquently put it, it is a concern of many and is dangerous to the health of all of us in the area. It also goes against Ground Water Protection Act; section 485-C:7 and is listed as a Potential Contaminate. If you live along the river or get your water from a town well you should be very concerned.