August 22, 2007
A report released in April 2007 by Simpson Timber Company confirms extensive dioxin contamination at the site of the former Simpson Plywood Mill on Waterfront Drive in Eureka. Simpson and a previous owner used dioxin-laden wood preservative pentachlorophenol (penta) at the site from the 1950's to 1968. Those chemicals are still present at highly toxic levels beneath the old sawmill, in adjacent drainage ditches, and in Humboldt Bay sediments.
Simpson's report was in response to dioxin sampling done by Humboldt Baykeeper and Californians for Alternatives to Toxics (CATs), who filed suit late last year seeking clean-up of polluted soil and groundwater that flows to Humboldt Bay and
the Eureka Marsh. Baykeeper and CATs found dioxin at levels tens of thousands times higher than the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers safe.
| |||
Simpson's new report confirms the significant dioxin contamination found by Baykeeper and CATs at the site.
"This report clearly shows that Simpson's old mill is a dioxin hot spot that is contributing to Humboldt Bay's dioxin problem," said Pete Nichols of Humboldt Baykeeper. "It is time to get this site cleaned up to the highest and safest standards possible."
For more information:
www.humboldtbaykeeper.org
More Information About
Humboldt Baykeeper
More Articles...
TOC for Forest & River News, Summer 2007