Henry, J. (2022, July 6). Unable to fund exide cleanup, state wants contaminated Vernon site added to federal Superfund list. Daily News. Retrieved August 28, 2022, from https://www.dailynews.com/2022/07/03/unable-to-fund-exide-cleanup-state-wants-contaminated-site-added-to-federal-superfund-list/
Early July, California is requesting from the federal government that the polluted former site of Exide Technologies be added to the National Priorities List as a “Superfund site,” so the state may receive millions more dollars to clean-up the area. Exide declared bankruptcy in 2020, but its battery recycling has led to toxic pollution, including dangerous amounts of lead to spread across neighboring communities (East Los Angeles, Maywood, Huntington Park, etc.). Since Exide reneged on its agreement to fund clean-up, the state has taken on this responsibility. The process for becoming a Superfund site can take up two years.
This article relates to environmental science because it discusses a threat to our environment, that is lead build-up and toxic pollution from industrial processes. I hope that California may receive money for clean-up of the Exide Technologies, though I also understand that there may be other places that also need the money urgently. Either way, it is very disheartening that Latino neighborhoods must suffer from big corporations’ lack of accountability. The EPA and Trump administration should not have let Exide get away in court without cleaning up its damage.
I agree with your stance on this article. It is important to prioritize environmental cleanups, especially when they begin to impact local communities that are simply victims of irresponsible business practices. Do you think this environmental cleanup will completely clear the polluted site, or will there be lingering effects?
Thanks for your comments 🙂 I think even clean-up cannot clear polluted sites fully. Toxic chemicals are hard to eradictae.
The build-up of this toxic waste is something I too find alarming and frustrating that it had been ignored and we are now seeing the brutal effects it brings into neighboring communities that now have to suffer from major health and environmental issues. What do you think we can do to stop this from happening somewhere else?
Great question! Thanks. I think the government needs to stop some developments altogether from being built so close to communities. People should not have to live so close to potentially hazardous sites.