The company that contaminated the Elk River and poisoned the water supply of more than 300,000 people in West Virginia has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. They have impacted the environment, deprived businesses of their livelihood and made lots of people sick. Now they are walking away from the mess they made.
In addition to the coal processing chemical 4-methylcyclohexane methanol, it has been recently reported that another chemical called PPH also in the leaked into the river. The long term effects of both chemicals on human and environmental health are not known.
While authorities say it is now safe to drink the water, people are still getting sick. At least 179 people have reportedly gotten sick due to the chemical spill. The state’s Education Department has recommended that nine school districts continue using bottled water.
There are massive environmental, financial and health costs associated with the spill. While Freedom will avoid their environmental cleanup obligations and liabilities through the bankruptcy, the state of West Virginia, its people and its businesses will be left footing the bill.
© 2014, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.
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