When hazardous waste from the East Palestine train derailment ended up in Roachdale, locals turned to the League of Women Voters for insight into the decision to import the waste. Because the waste had to be handled by a qualified company and officials, as well as scientists, determined that the company was qualified, it did not appear that the League’s climate team had any additional information to offer.
Citizens’ concerns matter, though. Our citizens are attentive and ask good questions.
Then, a few weeks later, the massive fire in Richmond exposed people to highly toxic chemicals, such as benzene and vinyl chloride, two chemicals common in crude oil, gasoline, cigarette smoke, plastics, resins, nylon, synthetic fabrics, motor vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions. . Benzene, which the CDC and WHO say has no safe level of exposure, is also found in some lubricants, rubbers, medicines, detergents and pesticides. It is in the air around gas stations. We breathe a little when drivers of gasoline vehicles fire up their engines, burn rubber, and belch exhaust from their tailpipes.
In Richmond, 2,000 residents were evacuated, doctors’ offices were closed and surgeries were postponed, as reported by the IndyStar because so many toxic chemicals were detected in the air after plastics from the recycling plant they burned
The factory’s fire prevention systems were a fire code disaster, and the fire could have been prevented, but also, citizens can take steps to reduce this disaster by reducing our use of plastic and the need for recycle plastic, which is a forever product. . The plastic does not break. It breaks down into particles and polymers. It ends up in the air, in the water, in the meat that many eat, and finally in our bodies. When it is created, recycled or burned for energy, the chemicals emitted diminish our health.
What’s wrong with benzene since it’s in the top 20 chemicals by production volume in the US? According to the CDC, it works against us by causing cells to function incorrectly. It can cause the bone marrow to not produce enough red blood cells, causing anemia. It can damage the immune system by changing blood levels of antibodies and the loss of white blood cells. In women, long-term exposure includes excessive bleeding and irregular menstrual periods, and in all humans, it includes an increased chance of cancer.
What needs to be done about the growing risks associated with these chemicals?
Avoid tobacco smoke. Reduce demand for plastics and petroleum products so that industry does not need to use benzene, especially single-use plastics, petroleum-based resins, furniture waxes, paints and detergents. Finally, get ready for electrified vehicles, kitchen appliances and heating/cooling systems.
While many of us are using tax credits and savings to install heat pumps, buy electric vehicles and even install solar panels, not everyone can make all of these higher investments at once. But we can change our little habits and choices. Here are some to challenge you:
Reduce the demand for plastic by cutting down on takeaways and avoiding single-use plastic forks, spoons, knives, cups, straws and wrappers. Buy fewer snack-sized items that require more plastic wrap. Bring reusable bags to the store. Swap stretchy silicone covers or beeswax wraps for plastic wrap. Buy bamboo-based items such as toothbrushes, disposable utensils and strips. Use tape with paper to ship and wrap. Instead of bows and other plastic decorations, buy second hand scarves and cut them into strips and tie for the bows or decorate by hand with colored pencils. Plain brown paper or old Sunday funnies are still great ways to wrap a gift.
Buy cleaning products not stored in plastic. Shampoo can be bought in bars. (Tip: Avoid shampoos with sulfates that are harsh on your hair anyway.) Avoid liquid soaps sold and shipped in plastic containers. The toothpaste is now available as a chewable. Laundry detergent now comes in dissolving sheets that are stacked in cartons. Some types of deodorants come in paper containers or small glass jars that can be recycled (only about 9% of plastic is recycled, so glass, metal and paper are better storage options).
Invest in high quality natural fabrics such as wool, cotton, linen and linen. Rayon, polyester, viscose and other synthetic fabrics require toxic chemicals and petroleum byproducts to produce them.
It is difficult to avoid all these products. Wendell Berry noted that “we are all complicit in the things we may be trying to oppose.” When we’re here trying to oppose the use of products that do irreparable damage to our water, air, land, and bodies, we may not get a perfect turn, but we can do better. It comes down to conscious choice and reduced consumption. Pause before paying and ask, “Do I really want or need this? Could I do without, make it myself, or find a less toxic version?”
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan, multi-issue organization, promotes informed and active participation in government, works to increase public understanding of major political issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. All men and women are invited to join the LWV where practical work to safeguard democracy leads to civic betterment. For information, visit the website www.lwvmontcoin.org or the League of Women Voters of Montgomery County, IN Facebook page.
