Erin Brockovich and her team of investigators are here this week investigating hexavalent chromium contamination of some local water wells. The area of contamination is within our county but outside the city limits and it's so bad in some wells that water comes out of the tap looking like green Gatorade.
Chrome-6 is a chemical that when ingested, inhaled or dermally exposed to, may cause chronic nosebleeds, skin rashes and cancer. Ms. Brockovich says they are the highest levels that she's ever seen (even worse than the Hinkley, California case), and she's seen a lot. When Brockovich met with the large crowd of residents she asked if anyone had seen any of these symptoms and nearly all hands went up into the air. There is clearly a problem. So, Brockovich and her team of investigators are here to help this group of residents unite and organize.
The scary part is that new residential homes are being added every week. It isn't yet known how far this goes or how big it will end up being. They haven't even begun to nail the source of the contamination yet.
Apparently, the state tested the water in 2006, found unacceptable levels of Chrome-6, made a typo on their report, and the problem was forgotten about… until now. It's gotten much worse than it was in 2006.
There has been some local speculation that Brockovich is only here to gain more notoriety. I disagree. If it were my water well involved, I'd be relieved to know that a bulldog like Erin is on the case. Many people feel that since she is a celebrity of sorts, she's only in it for more. From what I could see, she is strictly all business and doesn't put on any airs. She doesn't have paparazzi following her around, nor does she have a crew to do her hair & makeup. This woman means to clean things up in our county and I'm damned glad it's her.
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12 comments:
Way to go Erin! Even if she is there for more notoriety, there are obviously many people who would benefit from it.
Scary stuff. Tell the locals to get over it and be glad she's there to fight for you. Sounds like 3 years of additional contamination has gone on since 2006, yikes, ugh... our government at work. I'd trust Erin over them.
Seriously, Erin B is there? No way!!
Exciting stuff - having Erin B. in your town. Hope she's able to do some good. Good luck to her.
No matter what her reason for being there I would be one happy person to see her if I had to live with that mess. Good for her!!!!
Wow. I hope changes are made and quick. Sounds like the right woman is on the job!
I don't care who she is, as long as she's qualified.
Keep us updated!
YIKES! I hate how some people always want to assume the worst of people. I hope she is able to help.
Who better to bring attention to the problem? Someone without a name would be overlooked. Way to go Erin B.
Hey, tell the naysayers to STFU .. or go out and hire someone they think can do this better ... or maybe they want to live in a toxic area ... fools.
I hope you are not affected by this ... xo
I'm with you Ms. Snoots. I'd want her on my side. She's incredible. And I do hope you and your foxes aren't affected by this, too.
She is truly an amazing person. Good for her, and the negative nellies can go jump in their well.
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