Truck Accidents with Hazardous Materials
Truck accidents can cause serious damage and injury. Accidents involving trucks that contain hazardous materials can be catastrophic. Any truck barreling down a highway can be intimidating for nearby drivers. The vehicle’s size is enough to make a neighboring driver uneasy. Considering these threats to safety, how often do we consider the dangers hidden inside the huge trailers being hauled along our local roadways?
Trucks are used to transport goods for various industries. It may be surprising to realize how often the materials transported for these purposes are toxic, flammable, or corrosive substances that have the potential to turn our roads into danger zones. An accident seems more conceivable when it involves driver errors or vehicle malfunctions. It is less foreseeable that a leak from a tanker of hazardous material will set off an uncontrollable fire or fill the air with toxic fumes.
Regulations
The trucking regulations in place for companies and drivers are stringent and in-line with the potential dangers involved in operating these vehicles. Likewise, the added level of danger inherent in handling and transporting hazardous materials calls for additional safety training and certification.
Regardless of the load being carried, all truckers are required to follow normal driving laws, such as following the posted speed limits and avoiding risky behaviors, such as distracted or intoxicated driving, but they are also subject to rules regarding their personal conduct, such as obtaining enough rest to avoid sleepiness behind the wheel.
Drivers and other trucking professionals who deal with these harmful substances are required to adhere to protocols and procedures that are intended to address these added dangers. The crews that pack up the shipment are supposed to mark the load with a placard that signifies that the contents are dangerous. The notice should indicate what kind of material is present and what dangers are posed as a result.
Who is At-Fault?
It takes many people to get a truck’s shipment to its destination. All of them are responsible for making safety a major priority for the trip. If there is a breakdown in the system, the results can be tragic. A shipper should make sure to load the cargo safely in a container appropriate for the materials. The placard and other warnings should be affixed to the truck to advise caution.
Truck manufacturer and maintenance crews should be sure the truck is fit for the road. The trucking company is responsible for planning the trip using a truck appropriate for the size and weight of the load. Finally, the driver must operate the vehicle with care. If any element of the safety plan goes unchecked, an accident may result. Victims may find it difficult to determine where things went wrong and who is responsible for their injuries. A lawyer familiar with the rules and practices of the trucking industry can help.
Wilmington Truck Accident Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Represent Victims Harmed by Trucks Transporting Hazardous Materials
If you were injured in an accident with a truck transporting hazardous materials, you need the Wilmington truck accident lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. to prove your case and obtain the compensation you deserve. Call us at 302-656-5445 or contact us online to set up a free consultation. With offices in Wilmington and Georgetown, Delaware, we serve clients in Dover, New Castle County, and Sussex County.
Delaware Waters Tested for Fecal Bacteria
Lewes, Broadkill, and Slaughter beaches are under water advisory, according to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). Researchers from the department’s Recreational Water Program have reported high levels of fecal bacteria. The Delaware beaches will remain under advisory until tests confirm that bacterial levels have returned to normal.
What Tests Reveal
Each week and after heavy rains, researchers from the Recreational Water Program take samples of water near swimming beaches to test for enterococcus and other potential sources of pollution. DNREC employees collect water samples, which are then cultured in a laboratory and tested for the presence of bacteria. They then estimate the concentration of the bacteria to determine whether it is over the federally mandated safe limit for beachgoers.
The current testing tool has been used for over 75 years and although the turnaround time for results is not immediate, it provides relatively quick and accurate results. Recent testing of Delaware’s recreational waters revealed a presence of fecal contamination.
How Does Fecal Bacteria Get in the Water?
An environmental scientist at the DNREC explains that enterococcus is a bacterium that grows in the guts of all warm-blooded animals, such as migratory shore birds. Often, high levels of this type of bacteria is due to an influx of seagulls defecating along the Delaware coast. According to the scientist, enterococcus itself does not make people sick. Rather, the bacterium can lead to gastrointestinal illness, particularly in vulnerable groups like the young, old, or weak. Most people in good health will not experience negative health effects from swimming in water where higher levels of bacteria are detected.
Other tests must be conducted to determine whether the fecal matter is human, which would pose a much higher health risk than if the feces came from wildlife sources. A few decades ago, people visiting beaches near sewage plants became sick from ingesting human-based bacteria. However, according to a scientist at the University of Delaware’s pollution ecology laboratory in Lewes, that is unlikely to happen today given the increased levels of treatment and sterilization of sewage system water.
Toxic Tort Claims for Water Contamination
Exposure to pollutants in water can lead to several health issues, including gastrointestinal illness, dermatitis, nerve damage, and cardiovascular problems. Federal legislation, such as the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act, are designed to protect people from exposure to contaminated water. Companies, as well as other responsible parties that do not comply with the legislation, may be held liable in a toxic tort claim.
Wilmington Environmental Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Represent Clients Harmed by Water Contamination
If you believe your illness was caused by exposure to contaminants in beach water or the water you use at your home, contact a Wilmington environmental lawyer at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. We proudly represent clients in Dover, New Castle County, and Sussex County from our offices in Georgetown and Wilmington, Delaware. For a free consultation, please complete our online contact form or call us at 302-656-5445.
California Couple Awarded $2 Billion in Roundup Cancer Case
An elderly married couple who became ill after working on their Northern California family farm have been awarded more than $2 billion after proving to an Oakland, California jury that the a chemical in Monsanto’s weed-killer, Roundup, is responsible for their cancer. A Livermore, California farmer was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Soon after, his wife was diagnosed with the same cancer four years later. The couple had used the Roundup herbicide, which contains glyphosate, for 30 years.
Produced by chemical company Monsanto, which was acquired by drug-maker Bayer in 2018, Roundup is sold throughout the U.S. Millions of homeowners continue to use this readily available glyphosate-based product for lawn and garden maintenance on their properties. Alarmingly, glyphosate was declared a probable carcinogen in 2015 by the World Health Organization’s International Research Agency for Cancer.
Two recent lawsuits in San Francisco resulted in sizable settlements in similar cases against Monsanto. In March 2019, the jury in a separate case awarded $80 million to a man who claimed that 26 years of using Roundup resulted in his cancer. There are thousands of cases filed against the makers of Monsanto, in which the plaintiffs allege that they developed cancer as a result of using the weed-killer.
A Research Dispute
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determined that glyphosate does not cause cancer. However, some of their research has been called into question. In fact, their motives have been called suspect, as the plaintiffs’ lawyers claimed that the company used powerful connections to influence the findings released regarding the research on glyphosate. In addition to questioning the rationale behind the EPA’s safety claims, the plaintiffs’ lawyers presented internal emails of Monsanto employees attempting to entice reputable researchers to sign on to studies to assert that glyphosate is safe.
Dover Toxic Tort Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Represent Clients Injured by Harmful Chemicals
If you developed a preventable illness, such as cancer, as a result of exposure to a dangerous substance in household pesticides or other commonly available chemical products, you may be entitled to compensation for the harm inflicted upon you. The Dover toxic tort lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. will fight for you against the chemical companies responsible for your illness. Call us today at 302-656-5445 or contact us online to arrange a free consultation. Located in Wilmington and Georgetown, Delaware, we represent clients in Dover, New Castle County, and Sussex County.
Delaware River Basin Fracking Ban
Efforts to generate energy and protect the environment have been at odds for decades. Fracking, also known as hydraulic fracturing, is a technique that drills down into the earth and injects a high pressure water, sand, and chemical mix deep into shale rock formations to extract natural gas trapped inside. The process is extremely water intensive and all wastewater used in the process becomes contaminated with the proprietary chemical mix. The gas released in the process flows up through a well to be captured above ground. The well usually passes through a water table before being captured.
The Delaware River flows through New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. It has 2,000 tributaries within the surrounding watershed, which covers over 13,500 miles. The Delaware River provides drinking water and boating opportunities to millions of citizens.
Past Contamination
In the past, contamination from industrial operations and development hit the river hard. At one point, the river was so contaminated that fish could not survive. As a result, the four bordering states formed an interstate compact called the Delaware River Basin Commission to protect the river. Improvements have been made over time and fish are once again able to survive in the water. Work remains to enable the river to recover and thrive.
The river is still threatened by residual industrial contamination and overdevelopment. Today, concerns have been raised about the negative impact that nearby fracking operations have on the health of the river and the quality of the drinking water it supplies.
Governors Meet to Discuss Ban
Three of the four Governors of the compact states met recently to discuss the future of the river. The Governors were encouraged by recent federal funding for the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program and discussed programs in their states designed to address the river’s problems. Yet, more work needs to be done. Consensus is forming around the idea that preventing the contamination of drinking water is the sensible approach to protecting the public health and the health of our waterways.
The three Governors agreed that a ban on fracking within the basin will be needed to protect the river from the threat of new contamination. They signed a proclamation to reaffirm their commitment to work together to make the Delaware River Basin a national model for sustainable economic development, drinkable clean water, healthy fish and wildlife populations, outdoor recreation, and nature-based climate resilience.
Limiting Fracking and Its Damage
The Commission has proposed a prohibition on fracking in the basin. The Commission is also considering changing how contaminated wastewater generated from fracking is stored, treated, and disposed within the basin. Environmental advocacy groups support the ban on fracking and on the disposal of fracking wastewater in the basin. To date, thousands of comments have been submitted by the public on the issue.
Delaware Environmental Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Advocate for Victims Harmed by Water Contamination
Contaminated drinking water can cause serious health problems. If you have been exposed to contaminated drinking water or are concerned that water near you is being contaminated, contact a Delaware environmental lawyer at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. today. Call us at 302-656-5445 or complete an online form for a free consultation. Located in Wilmington and Georgetown, Delaware, we serve clients throughout the state, including Dover, New Castle County, and Sussex County.
Risk Evaluation for 40 Chemicals
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has initiated the first step in a new chemical evaluation prioritization process mandated by the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The TSCA now requires the EPA to identify 40 chemicals that will undergo a prioritization process to determine which substances require further evaluation and analysis of their safety risks.
Prioritization Process
The first step in the TSCA evaluation process took place when the EPA published a list of 40 chemicals in the Federal Register, which began a mandatory nine to 12-month evaluation for prioritization, and a 90-day period for public comment on the individual chemicals listed. Upon the completion of the 90-day public comment period, the 40 chemicals listed in the Federal Register will be designated as high or low priority. Chemicals deemed high priority will then go through a safety and risk analysis. Those deemed to be low priority will not be subjected to the second level analysis process. Chemicals that are initially designated as low priority can be moved to a high priority status later.
What Chemicals are Being Evaluated for Prioritization?
The TSCA has a current list of 40,000 chemicals, which include those substances that have one or more of the following criteria:
- Persistence and bioaccumulation scores of three or more
- Those with a known cancer risk to humans
- Chemicals with acute or chronic high toxicity levels
The 40 chemicals published in the Federal Register that are awaiting public comment and run the most risk of being deemed a high priority include:
- Seven chlorinated solvents
- Six phthalates, which are known to cause disruption to the normal hormonal balance in humans and are linked to other health complications
- Four flame retardant chemicals
- Formaldehyde
- One chemical used as a fragrance enhancer
- One polymer precursor
Prioritization levels will be determined after the 90-day period for public comment has expired.
What Happens After Prioritization?
For every chemical prioritized, the EPA is mandated to add another chemical to the prioritization process. This system will ensure that the process of evaluating chemicals for safety and public health risks continues and includes a thorough analysis of all possible safety risks. A spokesperson for the EPA released a statement that confirms the agency’s commitment to chemical safety and transparency to the public. The Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act requires the EPA to conduct investigations into the safety and public health risks for chemicals used in manufacturing and processing, as defined by the TSCA.
Georgetown Chemical Exposure Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Represent Victims Exposed to Toxic Chemicals
If you or someone you know was injured by exposure to a toxic chemical or environmental material, you may be entitled to compensation. Call the Georgetown chemical exposure lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. at 302-656-5445, or contact us online to schedule a free consultation today. Our Wilmington and Georgetown, Delaware offices serve clients throughout Dover, New Castle County, and Sussex County.
Near Miss Explosion at Refinery Raises Concern
Fuel refineries use a series of chemical reactions to arrive at the final product. Hydrogen fluoride is used in the oil refining process and causes a reaction, called alkylation, to make fuel from unrefined oil. Hydrogen fluoride gas readily reacts with water to form highly corrosive hydrofluoric acid. Two workers were seriously hurt when an explosion recently occurred at an ExxonMobil refinery in Torrance, California. The incident was a near miss for a toxic hydrofluoric acid release.
Hydrofluoric acid, when vaporized, will form droplets in a low-level cloud that can travel along the ground for several miles. The effects of exposure are serious; it can burn the lungs and penetrate the skin to damage bones. A hydrofluoric acid release can also cause extensive property damage. Due to the potential catastrophic impact on workers, first responders, the environment, and residents in surrounding areas, all serious chemical accidents are investigated by the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB). Its purpose is to evaluate each chemical release incident in the U.S. to find its root cause.
CSB Investigation of Explosion
Although hampered by resistance from ExxonMobil leadership, the CSB investigators were able to deduce that the accident happened during a non-routine procedure. When problems with an expander device rose, the fluid catalytic cracking unit was put on idle. Steam was then pumped into the reactor to prevent backflow of hydrocarbons into a distillation column.
Ultimately, hydrocarbons leaked into the distillation column from other equipment and reached the reactor connected to an electrostatic precipitator (ESP) device. The ESP caused sparks and ignited hydrocarbons, resulting in an explosion, which released a dust cloud extending for miles and projected large debris around the site.
Near Miss Accidents Warn of Potentially Serious Problems
Near miss accidents need to be taken seriously. Investigators found that debris landed on scaffolding around the alkylation unit and narrowly missed the tank holding thousands of pounds of hydrofluoric acid. If ruptured, the tank would have released a hydrofluoric acid cloud.
An analysis of the failure found that ExxonMobil did not adequately evaluate process hazards. Safeguards were not implemented despite the known threat of ignitable combustibles reaching the device. In addition, safety precautions at the site that required a written variance before deviating from normal operating conditions were deficient. The variance document used to address the non-routine procedure was outdated. It did not reflect changes in use of the expander that happened after the variance document was developed.
OSHA Citations Issued for Violations
In addition to the CSB, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) investigators were on the scene to evaluate workplace hazards. They found violations of OSHA’s standard for managing processes using highly hazardous chemicals. The standard requires a system of Process Safety Management to proactively identify, evaluate, and mitigate or prevent conditions in processing equipment that can result in chemical releases from failures in the process, procedure, or equipment.
Georgetown Chemical Exposure Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Advocate for Victims of Toxic Exposure
If you were exposed to toxic chemicals in the workplace, the Georgetown chemical exposure lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. can help. We will review your case and help you obtain the justice you deserve. Call us today at 302-656-5445 or complete an online form for a free consultation. Located in Wilmington and Georgetown, Delaware, we serve clients throughout Dover, New Castle County, and Sussex County.
Effects of Black Mold
Many of us have heard warnings about black mold being dangerous. The concern is real and any exposure to this material should be avoided as much as possible. The growing mold appears in a range of colors from dark green to black and can be one of a number of different species of fungus; the most dangerous being Stachybotrys chartarum, or S. chartarum. This mold produces trichothecene mycotoxins. Black mold is toxic, can survive for extended periods of time, and is difficult to kill.
Mold tends to grow in warm, damp environments. If the humidity dries out after a mold colony has taken hold, then the mold will die. In this state, it appears to be a light gray color. Unfortunately, S. chartarum spores and the dead fungus all contain the same dangerous mycotoxins as the living form. Mold likes to grow on cellulose from trees. This same material is present in many common household products, including wood beams and dry wall. If continuous exposure to humid conditions exist in a home, then black mold is likely to grow. Once the mold is established, it can be difficult to remove.
Risk of Exposure
Black mold exposure can cause a series of related symptoms, including coughing, wheezing, nasal congestion, red or itchy eyes, sore throat, and nosebleeds. Contact with mycotoxins is especially dangerous for people with respiratory conditions such as asthma. It can worsen these conditions and cause difficulty breathing, persistent coughing, and fatigue. Those having a compromised immune system and children are at a higher risk of serious side effects from exposure to black mold.
Prolonged exposure can cause more severe health effects. Chronic exposure to black mold can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and bleeding in the lungs and nose. In rare cases, exposure can lead to severe symptoms beyond respiratory conditions, which include anxiety, memory loss, and difficulty concentrating.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Someone suspecting exposure to mold can get diagnosed using a blood test to detect antibodies produced from reacting to the mold. The usual treatment to resolve symptoms includes over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants. Steroids may be prescribed to address inflammation and rashes.
Treatment will involve preventing future mold exposure as much as possible. In addition, sensitivity to mold can be improved through immunotherapy. Taking allergy shots over time can increase a person’s tolerance to mold and make them less susceptible to severe reactions upon future exposure.
Resolving and Combatting Mold
It is important to minimize the adverse effects of exposure to mold by removing it as soon as possible. The process will depend on where the mold is found and addressing the conditions that allowed it to grow. Commercial products can kill mold and help prevent it from returning. A simple solution of bleach and water is also helpful in destroying mold. To prevent mold, keep areas dry and check for water leaks or damage. Use exhaust fans in damp areas and keep rooms warm and well ventilated during cold weather.
Georgetown Toxic Mold Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Advocate for Victims Harmed Due to Black Mold Exposure
If you have been exposed to black mold or other toxic materials, you may be entitled to compensation to cover medical expenses and more. Contact one of our experienced Georgetown toxic mold lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. for a free consultation by calling 302-656-5445 or complete an online form. Located in Wilmington and Georgetown, Delaware, we serve clients throughout Dover, New Castle County, and Sussex County.
Lead Exposure Linked to Poor Mental Health in Adults
From the mid-1960s until the late 1980s, gasoline was commonly treated with lead, leading to contamination of the air and soil that exposed people to the toxin. Many adults are currently living with the consequences. Today, lead poisoning is less common, but is still found in old buildings that contain lead pipes and paint.
It has long been noted that exposure to lead can cause brain development and learning problems in children. Recently, childhood exposure to the heavy metal has been linked decades later to additional negative issues experienced by now-adult subjects regarding their mental health and personality traits. JAMA Psychiatry published a report that found high readings of blood lead levels of individuals at age 11 were more likely to experience mental illness and troublesome personality traits at age 38. A previous study by the same research team linked childhood lead exposure to lower IQ and social standing decades later.
Lead Exposure Tests
If a child is tested for lead exposure, they will be flagged to undergo further testing and possible intervention if lead levels are above five micrograms per deciliter of blood (ug/dL). In the early 1970s, New Zealand was listed among the areas with the highest levels of lead. More than 1000 people born in Dunedin, New Zealand in 1972 and 1973 have been participating in an ongoing evaluation of their physical and mental health. Ninety-four percent of these participants tested above five ug/dL at age 11.
The health impacts they experienced are relatable to many people elsewhere in the world, as similar levels of lead were common in many industrialized countries at the time of the participants’ exposure. The study recorded symptoms relating to 11 different types of psychiatric disorders to calculate the psychopathology factors. The measurements took into account symptoms associated with the following mental disorders:
- Dependence on alcohol, cannabis, tobacco, and other hard drugs
- Conduct disorders
- Depression and anxiety
- Phobias
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Mania and Schizophrenia
A study subject’s psychopathology factor score was used to indicate the number and intensity of these illnesses. Using these indicators, analysis suggests that exposure to lead affects mental health.
Personality Issues
Interviews with family and friends of the test subjects indicated that individuals with higher lead exposure levels were more neurotic and less conscientious. These traits have also been linked to difficulty in personal relationships, lack of job fulfillment, and other complaints. As the study participants age, the researchers plan to investigate a possible correlation between childhood lead exposure and diseases that develop later in life, such as dementia or cardiovascular disease. The team’s decades-long research indicates that treating symptoms and conditions that result from exposure to lead is a long-term undertaking.
Wilmington Chemical Exposure Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Help Lead Exposure Victims
If you or a loved one has suffered due to lead exposure, you are urged to contact the Wilmington chemical exposure lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. To schedule a free consultation, contact us online or call us at 302-656-5445. With offices located in Wilmington and Georgetown, Delaware, we proudly serve clients throughout Dover, New Castle County, and Sussex County.
DDT Exposure and Breast Cancer
The harmful pesticide, Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), is a colorless and tasteless synthetic compound that was vastly used in agricultural areas around the world. Recently, a six-decade long study conducted by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that there is a 40-year long correlation between the exposure of DDT and the diagnosis of breast cancer in women. Current research is beginning to show that high levels of DDT exposure increases the risk of breast cancer for women through the age of 54. The timing of the exposure of DDT is found to be imperative in terms of an early diagnosis and treatment.
Because it is a chemical that is highly soluble in water, DDT became infamous because of its environmental impact; its long life and low decay rate made it difficult to dispose of. Due to DDT’s harmful effects, its use would be banned in most countries around the world during the 1970s, including the United States in 1972. It is still used in Africa and Asia to fight malaria. Because it is hard to destroy, traces of DDT is still found in environments where it had been banned for years.
Exposure and Diagnosis
DDT is an endocrine disruptor, which is a chemical that interferes with the human body’s hormones, possibly leading to tumors and cancer. Researchers found that the chance of breast cancer increases for a woman if she is exposed to DDT while her body is going through a hormonal stage, or when the breast tissues are growing and developing.
Women who have been exposed to DDT before the age of 14 were found to have an increased risk of premenopausal breast cancer, with the highest risk to women who have been exposed before the age of three. Women exposed to DDT after the age of 14 showed an increased risk of breast cancer after menopause, but not before the age of 50. If a woman was exposed after infancy by twice the amount of DDT, their risk of postmenopausal breast cancer triples.
Researchers have found that by going back 40 years from a woman’s breast cancer diagnosis, they could approximate her first DDT exposure. By implementing this research for women, doctors can detect breast cancer at its earliest stage, increasing a woman’s chance for a positive outcome.
Wilmington Environmental Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Help Those Suffering from DDT Exposure
If you have been exposed to DDT and were diagnosed with breast cancer, contact a Wilmington environmental lawyer at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Our experienced lawyers will fight for you and obtain the compensation you deserve. Call us at 302-656-5445 or contact us online for a free consultation. With offices in Georgetown and Wilmington, Delaware, we proudly serve our clients throughout the state, including New Castle County, Sussex County, and Dover.
World Water Day
Many people are used to having clean water that they take it for granted. Those in certain parts of the world do not have to think twice about water safety and availability, yet it is a daily concern for billions across the globe. Whether it is in their homes, farms, schools, or their work, these disadvantaged people have difficulty accessing safe water. It is often seen as a form of discrimination.
Access to drinkable, usable water is a basic human right, yet the lack of it is a real emergency for so many, which is why World Water Day was created. It takes place on March 22 and is sponsored by the World Health Organization, Unicef, AquaFed, the United Nations, and other groups. Their goal is to educate, advocate, and focus on why so many are in this crisis.
Where the Contaminants Come From
The water technology company, Bluewater, conducted a survey that reported 28 percent of Americans have been confronted with water contamination from 2016 to 2018. The respondents also expressed concerns about toxic metals, lead, and chemical pollutants in their water. Nine percent said that they had to drink bottled water because of contaminated water supplies. Using plastic bottles creates more waste, which can end up in drinking water; its long-term health effects are not clear.
Bluewater’s president said that plastic bottles are a convenience, and these pollute the planet’s waters. Other sources of water contamination include water products from refineries, waste treatment plants, and factories, even though these practices are regulated. There are also indirect sources, such as groundwater and soils that contain pesticides and fertilizers; automobile and factory emissions also get into the air and water supply. Polluted water can poison people, animals, and ecosystems.
How Water Pollution Affects the Disadvantaged
Poorer communities, especially those with older and poorly functioning water systems, can be at a higher risk for toxic water consumption. Without decent water systems, these people are confronted with contaminated water and skyrocketing utility bills. This was seen in Flint, Michigan when lead-contaminated water created a public health crisis in this poverty-stricken area in 2014. The city had changed water suppliers to save money, and this led to corrosion in the pipe system.
Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. is involved with another water contamination case that involves a lower-income area. It involves Mountaire Farms, a poultry producing factory in Millsboro, Delaware. The company is accused of violating state environmental laws, with allegations that they have contaminated the local groundwater and land. This poses health threats to people living in the area.
Equal Water Quality for All
Everyone should have access to safe water, but many factors are unjustly preventing many from having a basic human right. This is becoming an issue that spans communities across the globe. If governments start to invest in improving water infrastructures and services without bias, people of all economic and cultural backgrounds can benefit from safer water and better health. World Water Day hopes to raise awareness on this front.
Delaware Environmental Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Advocate for Victims of Contaminated Water Consumption
If you and your family are suffering the effects of toxic water, contact an experienced Delaware environmental lawyer at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Call us at 302-656-5445 or complete an online form for a free consultation today. Our offices are in Wilmington and Georgetown, Delaware, where we represent clients in Dover, New Castle County, and Sussex County.