Two Biomass Injustices
– by Ron Saff, M.D., October 27, 2013. Source: Gainesville Sun
Turkey Creek residents face two deep injustices: health risks from air pollution and noise pollution. Tons of carcinogens will soon belch from the biomass plant. In a 2009 letter to then-Sen. John Kerry, the American Lung Association stated that biomass burning releases toxic gasses that can cause cancer and scar the lungs. The letter concludes, “Given the technology and natural resources available to us, we do not believe that anyone should have to choose between electric power and their health.”
Noise pollution also has numerous health harms. According to the World Health Organization, prolonged noise pollution may result in permanent effects such as hypertension and ischemic heart disease and the accelerated development of latent mental disorders.
Noise pollution was used as a form of torture by the Nazis who blasted loud German marching songs into the Dachau concentration camp. Survivors have spoken bitterly about how destructive this was.
Let’s stop throwing away good money after bad. The plant can be dismantled and its pieces sold for scrap.
Ron Saff, Member, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Florida Chapter
