Waste Not! Carroll

From Frederick News-Post

In response to Harvey Alter's June 14 letter, incinerators are not safe. It is folly to quote from proponents of incinerators for proof of safety. For decades the tobacco industry told us smoking cigarettes was safe.

The May 22 issue of Science News reports on findings that nanoparticles (extremely small particles) inhaled by children have a measurable negative impact on cognitive abilities ("Destination Brain"). A quote from the report: "Data suggest that inhaled airborne motes can enter the brain, where they would be expected to foster inflammation, a primary underlying trigger of tissue damage and neurodegenerative disease."

The inflammation impairs mental and motor skills. The neurodegenerative diseases include Alzheimer's and dementia -- both diseases that, in the past, were found to occur late in life.

Counter arguments will include the statement that stack scrubbers are efficient. When they are in good repair and running at full capacity, they are efficient, but not 100 percent -- nanoparticles are being released into the atmosphere continuously. Records at existing incinerators in Montgomery County and Baltimore show incinerators have "malfunction" periods; the operation being stopped and restarted; the system being run at less than full capacity. Emission levels rise during these events.

There are 15 schools within a 3-mile radius of the chosen incinerator site. There is the City of Frederick in the path of the prevailing winds from that site. Those of us in our later years may feel that some inhalation of nanoparticulate is tolerable. Those of us with young families can anticipate our children breathing in these particles over many decades. Those of us who will not be here in 30 years need to think about handing this legacy to those of us who will be here.

It will be up to the new commissioners elected this fall to decide on that legacy.

JULIA CUBIT

New Market