Last mission to repair the Hubble telescope
Fifty years ago, they were screwed-up kids sent to the Florida School for Boys to be straightened out. But now they are screwed-up men, scarred by the whippings they endured. Read the story and see a video and portrait gallery.
Rays fan guide to the Trop Print |
 Email story |
 Comment |
 Email editor |
Plant City residents turn out to challenge a state report suggesting a now-closedCoronet Industries phosphate plant doesn't pose a health risk.
By SAUNDRA AMRHEIN
Published June 16, 2006
PLANT CITY - They aren't buying it.
Residents near the shuttered Coronet Industries phosphate plant told state officials Thursday their own illnesses contradict a recent state report that says Coronet's plant posed no health risk.
Last week, the Florida Health Department released a report that said its tests of soil, air and private drinking wells dating back to 2003 revealed that contaminants found in the tests likely would not cause illness.
But residents suing Coronet showed up at the open house held by the state to dispute the report and seek answers.
"I'm concerned the community here is being misled," said Jim Ross, their Texas-based attorney, with a dozen residents at his side. "How can you say there's no risk ... when we have families that are sick, neighbors that are sick?"
Inside Springhead Elementary, Ross, the residents and reporters surrounded a state official. Ross pointed to a 1989 federal study by the Environmental Protection Agency that warned that groundwater contamination on the phosphate site was of major concern.
The EPA said heavy metals from the plant's processing likely had migrated into the groundwater and could affect more than 36,000 people drinking from private or municipal wells within 3 miles of the plant.
"Unfortunately, we don't have enough environmental data before 2003," said Randall Merchant, environmental administrator with the Florida Health Department.
Merchant said he could not explain why the EPA's study did not come to his agency's attention for almost 14 years.
Part of the state's investigation in 2003 included the testing of air, 145 offsite wells and 40 soil samples, Merchant said.
[Last modified June 16, 2006, 04:27:04]
|
|
| Home |
 News
|
Politics
|
Opinion |
Sports
|
Entertainment
|
Money
|
Go Momma
|
Blogs
|
Video | Weather | Traffic |
Classifieds
|
Jobs |
Real Estate |
Cars
|
Site Map |
|
