Lake Erie tributary pollution
This web page will help the public to understand the environmental issues dealing with the Ashtabula river and the Fields Brook by providing information concerning this subject. The Fields Brook was polluted by a company named RMI. RMI was contracted by the Atomic Energy Commission from 1962 to 1988. They were to manufacture uranium tubes, rods, and forged uranium parts for the Cold War nuclear weapons program. In the process of working with these nuuclear elements, RMI polluted the Fields Brook, which ultimately led to the pollution of the Ashtabula river. The pollution of these tributaries caused pollution of the Lake Erie waters. Because the nuclear elements made their way into the lake, many of the city's industries were negatively affected. The fishing industry was hurt because there was a fish consumption advisory placed on all fish caught within the area of the river and the brook. Several local factories that depended on ships to move their products suffered as well. The transporting ships were scarce because the contaminated sediment from the brook eventually built up in the river, preventing deep water vesels from sailing through as can be explained in the Great Lakes Area of Concern link. Many steps were taking to remedy this problem. Several governmental agencies, along with the city of Ashtabula and the state of Ohio took part in a twenty month clean up of the river and the brook. Nearly ten years after RMI stopped polluting the brook, the waters were restored to normal. The river was dredged out and the fish consumption advisories were revoked. The clean up process was one in which lasted over a year and involved many steps and much work. As can be seen in the Sevenson link, this was a well thought out process and was successfully executed. Prior to the clean up of the brook and river, several governmental agencies, along with associates from RMI took a tour of the site. As can be seen in the Petitioned Public Health Assessment link, they found nothing that could harm humans, however they did find the need to get the site cleaned up. One of the major needs that the site needed to be cleaned up was because of the presence of trichloroethylene, which is a chemical that can cause several problems in humans, as can be seen in the OSH Answers link,and the ATSDR link. This issue has been a controversy in the city of Ashtabula ever since RMI began polluting. The citizens were all cautious of the waters surrounding the brook and river. The clean up was a much needed and a very beneficial process for the aquatic species living in the waters and the citizens who are much dependent on the waters. Hopefully this site and its links will help to better explain the pollution and the clean up process for Ashtabulians and others who are curious about this environmental concern.
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Sevenson
Petitioned Public Health Assessment
OSH Answers
Great Lakes Area of Concern
ATSDR
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