Sioux City Journal

Refinery presents health concerns

Posted: Sunday, June 01, 2008

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- I am a 1966 graduate of Elk Point High School. As a retired cardiologist, I am not qualified to comment on the health effects of a refinery. However, research on the marked increased incidence of childhood asthma and decreased lung volume in children living close to a refinery is solid. The increased incidence of leukemia and lymphoma is best documented in the workers, but a great deal of antidotal information suggests those living close to refineries are affected, as well. Low birth weights and other cancers and neurological diseases remain under investigation. The rotten egg smell near a refinery relates to an increased incidence of "psychosomatic" complaints. Upper respiratory symptoms are correlated with this smell.

The Missouri River aquifer is 50 feet beneath Hyperion's land. Toxins make their way into the ground water from the polluted air with higher concentrations of toxins developing in rain and snow. At least one model suggests a 50-mile radius for air pollution from the refinery site. USGS outlines some of the effects of VOCs in ground water, including liver abnormalities, thyroid and testicular cancer and birth defects.

Woodbury and Union County may need to address their environmental health resources. -- Mary Slattery

Story Comments

UnCoGal wrote on Jun 3, 2008 8:47 AM:

" The focus is not on Mary, but on her statements. In researching refineries, I have found what she says about the illnesses associated with refineries is completely true. Rare childhood cancers, asthma, birth defects, and other types of cancer are all found in higher levels near refineries. BUT the issue for this election is the zoning ordinance. Union Co is giving away it's authority over Union Co land to secretive company by stating "of any type" and "without limitation". Vote NO to this ordinance. "

Union County Resident wrote on Jun 3, 2008 2:38 AM:

" DakotaCowboy - Descent means to fall or decline. Decent means polite, right or reasonable. Now which kind of comments do you want?

Maybe you aren't the person that I Know the Facts thinks you are. (Something in her description was a tip-off for me.) I truly hope she is wrong about that because I would hate to think that a well-educated person has descended to a buffoon. (Was that comment descent enough for you?)

BTW, What is a pedigre? If Mary is who I think she is, she no doubt has an impressive pedigree or ancestry. But I'm still trying to figure out what a pedigre is. I'm sure you are going to jump at the chance to enlighten all of us on that one.

Did I express myself better this time? "

DakotaCowboy wrote on Jun 2, 2008 9:28 AM:

" Well now "Union County Resident? it sure was nice of you to give me the pedigre of Mary. I see if you can't come up with descent comments you just sling insults. Do you have trouble expressing your self. Go back and read my 1st comment. I think that is 100% correct, and no insults. Go Gorilla Go. VOTE YES!!! "

Ozzy Stillbourne wrote on Jun 2, 2008 4:56 AM:

" Keith, you yourself have stated that this is an "opinion" page. So Mary doesn't have the right to her opinion because you say so? Your attitude reaks of fascism. "

Union County Resident wrote on Jun 1, 2008 8:49 PM:

" Keith, aka Mr. Wizard, what makes you think that Mary took her facts from the 1970's and 1980's? Or is that the best retort that you could come up with?
Having well educated people who have nothing to gain personally from stating the facts must be quite threatening to you. If you can't come up with a better reply than the one on this page, you would be further ahead to keep quiet because your ignorance is showing. "