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Welcome to www.dante7.com. The personal web site of Dante Picciano and friends.
TOXIC DISCONNECT
Posted October 8, 2008 The following story is by Sue Sturgis and was posted on her web site, www.hometownhazards.com. Abraham Lincoln has said that you cannot fool all the people all the time and Sue has shown that the adage applies to U.S. Arlen Specter. Congratulations Sue on a job well done.
 U.S. Senator Arlen Specter TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2008 Sue Sturgis U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter held a meeting in Hazleton yesterday to call for action on behalf of local residents suffering from polycythemia vera, a rare blood cancer that occurs at an unusually high rate in Schuylkill and Luzerne counties. But at another meeting held earlier that day, he called for construction of a waste coal-to-oil refinery in Schuylkill County -- a project that will significantly increase the carcinogenic burden on area residents. The senator's clashing calls suggest a fundamental disconnect in his thinking. While the cause of the high PV rate has not yet been pinpointed, it's certainly safe to say that building a significant new source of toxic pollution will not help people already suffering from high rates of cancer and other chronic illnesses -- never mind the insult of using cancer victims' tax dollars to help pay for a project that will further damage their health. Specter's meeting about PV took place at 4 p.m. yesterday at the Genetti Best Western in Hazle Township and involved about 20 local PV patients, physicians and public health advocates, the Pottsville Republican Herald reports: The purpose of Monday’s meeting ... Specter said, was to get answers, and to map out a PV cancer cluster battle plan. “I want to get a handle on this and develop an action plan to move ahead with a sense of urgency,” he said. Among the strategies reportedly discussed at the meeting was research to examine similar health issues in West Virginia, another coal mining area that like Schuylkill County is also a center of heavily polluting waste-coal-burning power plants. In addition, there was discussion of investigating contaminants in the confirmed cluster area. Local oncologist Dr. Paul Roda will write up the "battle plan" and deliver it to Specter’s office by the end of the week. But at the same time the senator is claiming he wants to help area residents who are suffering disproportionately from cancer, he's pushing a project that will increase his constituent's likelihood of getting the disease. Interviewed after a town hall meeting held earlier yesterday afternoon at the Penn State Schuylkill campus, Specter told the Republican Herald that he wanted to boost Schuylkill's economy through government support of John W. Rich Jr.’s proposed waste coal-to-oil refinery in Mahanoy Township near Gilberton. The plant would be a new source of cancer-causing pollution in a county that already has a serious toxic pollution problem due to the numerous waste-coal-burning power plants. Schuylkill County has more of these dirty facilities than any other county in the nation. The state Department of Environmental Protection has permitted Rich's refinery to annually release up to 99.9 tons each of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and fine particulate matter, as well as 49.9 tons of carcinogenic volatile organic compounds, according to the Energy Justice Network. The facility would also dump into the air each year hundreds of tons of other health-damaging air pollutants -- including 38 pounds of mercury, a known carcinogen and neurotoxin. Why is Specter pushing for a new heavily polluting facility despite the local area's serious health problems? Campaign finance records offer a clue. The Rich family is a generous contributor to the senator's campaign fund, having donated $10,200 to Specter in 2007 and 2008 alone, according to OpenSecrets.org. Labels: arlen specter, cancer clusters, coal to oil, money in politics, politics, polycythemia vera, toxics Polycythemia Vera, Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Cobalt
Posted October 10, 2008  Polycythemia vera clusters in tri-county region  Location of coal ash mine sites in tri-county region In this story, we will present evidence that polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and cobalt, substances found in fly ash and emitted from waste coal burning plants, may cause or contribute to the unusually high incidence of polycythemia vera cancers in Carbon, Luzerne and Schuylkill counties in Pennsylvania. Polycythemia vera is a rare bone marrow cancer occurring with a frequency of approximately one in 100,000 people per year. Recently, the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) reported three areas within Carbon, Luzerne and Schuylkill counties with a significant elevation of the polycythemia vera rate (1). In a previous story, we estimated the elevation in these clusters to be approximately 16 times the national rate (2). Most patients with polycythemia vera have a specific mutation in the Janus Associated Kinase 2 (JAK2) gene (3). In this mutation, the amino acid phenylalanine is substituted for the amino acid valine in position 617 of the JAK2 gene (4). The DNA mutation that produces this amino acid substitution is known as a G->T transversion. Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and cobalt compounds are known to cause G->T transversion mutations (5-7). Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are chemicals that occur in oil, coal and tar deposits and are produced as byproducts of fuel burning. They are of concern because some PAHs have been identified as carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic. At least 15 PAHs, including benzo[a]pyrene, have been identified as reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogens (8) and benzo[a]pyrene has been shown to induce G->T transversion mutations (5). PAHs are produced by waste coal burning plants and can be found in the air emissions and fly ash (9-13). Cobalt is a silver or gray ferromagnetic metal. Pure cobalt is not found in nature but cobalt compounds occur naturally in many forms. Some cobalt compounds are known to cause G->T transversion mutations (6-7) and cobalt chloride is known to induce a type of polycythemia in humans (14-15). Cobalt compounds are found in coal and in fly ash (16). When the ATSDR announced its findings, it showed several figures related to the polycythemia vera cancer clusters in the tri-county region (17). Figure 3, shown above, shows the residence at diagnosis and PV diagnosis status of 62 participants in Carbon, Luzerne and Schuylkill counties. Also shown above is a map showing the location of coal ash mine sites in Carbon, Luzerne and Schuylkill counties. This figure was prepared from Figure 4.1 of a report from the Pennsylvania Department of Environment Protection (18). In conclusion, we have presented evidence that polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and cobalt compounds, substances found in fly ash and emitted from waste coal burning plants, may cause the same mutation responsible for the unusually high incidence of polycythemia vera cancers in Carbon, Luzerne and Schuylkill counties in Pennsylvania. REFERENCES: 1. ATSDR Report, http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/sites/polycythemia_vera/docs/PV_Community%20_Report.pdf 2. Dante7.com Archives, Polycythemia vera update, August 26, 2008. 3. Tefferi, A., JAK2 Mutations in Polycythemia Vera - Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Applications, New England Journal of Medicine, Vol. 356: 444-445, February 1, 2007. 4. Kralovics, R., et al., A Gain-of-Function Mutation of JAK2 in Myeloproliferative Disorders, New England Journal of Medicine, Vol. 352: 1779-1790, April 28, 2005. 5. Luch, A., Nature and Nurture - Lessons from Chemical Carcinogenesis, Nature Reviews Cancer, Vol. 5: 113-125, February 2005. 6. Bucher, J.R., et al., Inhalation toxicity and carcinogenicity studies of cobalt sulfate, Toxicological Science, Vol. 49: 56-67, 1999. 7. Cobalt in Hard Metals and Cobalt Sulfate, Gallium Arsenide, Indium Phosphide and Vanadium Pentoxide, IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, Vol. 86, 2006. 8. http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/roc/eleventh/profiles/s150pah.pdf 9. Kunlei, L., et al., Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) emissions from a coal-fired pilot FBC system, Journal of Hazardous Materials, Vol. 84: 175-188, June 29, 2001. 10. Mastral, A.M., et al., Toxic organic emissions from coal combustion, Fuel Processing Technology, Vol. 67: 1-10, June 2000. 11. Callen, M., Ecotoxicological Assessment of Ashes and Particulate Matter from Fluidized Bed Combustion of Coal, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, Vol. 41: 59-61, September 1988. 12. Kunlei, L., et al., Polyaromatic Hydrocarbon Emissions in Fly Ashes from an Atmospheric Fluidized Bed Combustor Using Thermal Extraction Coupled with GC/TOF-MS, Energy and Fuels, Vol. 16: 330-337 (2002). 13. Mastral, A.M., et al., Assessment of PAH emissions as a function of coal combustion variables, Fuel, Vol. 75: 1533-1536, October 1996 14. Davis, J.E. and Fields, J.P., Experimental production of polycythemia in humans by administration of cobalt chloride, Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, Vol. 99: 493-495, 1958. 15. Lippi, G., et al., Blood doping by cobalt. Should we measure cobalt in athletes?, Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology, Vol. 1: 18, July 24, 2006. 16. Scheetz, B.E., Chemistry and Mineralogy of Coal Fly Ash: Basis for Beneficial Use, http://www.mcrcc.osmre.gov/PDF/Forums/CCB5/1.4.pdf 17. ATSDR Report Figures, http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/sites/polycythemia_vera/docs/PV_Community_Report_Figures.pdf 18. Hornberger, R.J. et al., Chapter 4. Coal Ash Beneficial Use (Conventional Ash Placement) on Anthracite Mine Sites, page 73, http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/minres/bmr/beneficial_use/12%20CHAPT%204/Chapter%204.pdf Coal-to-Oil?
Posted October 22, 2008
China Sees the Light, Drops Coal-To-Liquid Plans So why does the U.S. still think it could possibly be a good idea? By Bruce Nilles, Sierra Club Just the other week, China's government took a bold step when it announced that it was halting immediately its plans to build all but two of its proposed coal-to-liquids projects. Its rationale: "environmental and economic concerns www.chinadaily.com. This is the same argument we here at the Sierra Club have been making for the past year about the 10 coal-to-liquid plants proposed in the U.S: Liquid coal simply makes no financial or environmental sense. Liquid coal is a major distraction of capital and attention away from the challenge and opportunity ahead. Liquid coal would emit 10 percent more global warming pollution than gasoline, all at a time when we are wrestling with how to slow and reverse global warming. It is also extremely wasteful -- taking 3.5 gallons of water to make just one gallon of fuel. But U.S. coal companies, never missing an opportunity to push their harmful product, are strongly advocating liquid coal as the answer to our oil addiction. The fight over liquid coal is centered in Ohio where Baard Energy wants to build a massive $4 billion coal-to-liquids plant on 650 acres near Wellsville in eastern Ohio. The plant would consume five billion tons of coal to produce about 50,000 barrels a day of diesel and jet fuels. The production of those 50,000 daily barrels will require 5.4 million gallons of water every day. If allowed to proceed, the plant would begin construction this year and be ready for full operation in 2012. When the Chinese government is saying coal-to-liquids projects are too dirty for China, what does it say about the current state of affairs in the United States when our government is still considering approving such filthy projects? Ed and Taxpayers Make a Porno
 Films take funding priority over sewers, roads & bridgesby Lowman S. Henry,?CEO, Lincoln Institute of Public Opinion Research http://patownhall.com Posted October 28, 2008 Among the decisions to be made by Pennsylvania voters on Election Day is a ballot question that would empower the commonwealth to borrow $400 million to finance improvements to our state's water and sewer infrastructure. Assuming the credit markets will allow the borrowing, the funds would then be made available to local municipalities in the form of grants to upgrade sewer and water systems. Supporters of the bond question say a vote in favor of the initiative is a vote for clean water. Thus, anyone opposing further indebting taxpayers clearly favors polluted waterways and dirty disease-ridden drinking water. This despite the fact, as the Commonwealth Foundation points out, that the General Assembly has already approved $3 billion in new borrowing this year – without asking our permission. So, what is the problem with an additional $400 million? The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is having problems paying for core government services. It would seem maintaining and improving our sewer and water systems would be a top budget priority, as would be maintenance of our highways, roads and bridges. All of said infrastructure has fallen into an advanced state of disrepair even though, until recent months, the state treasury has racked in records amounts of tax revenue. This raises the question: What exactly is state government spending our money on that funding is not available to maintain and improve basic services? The answer: Porno films. Or, at least raunchy films about making porno films. While sewage pollutes our rivers and streams and our highways fill with potholes your state government has invested millions in the so-called "film industry," including a $5.7 million tax credit for a film aptly titled Zack and Miri Make a Porno. As the title would suggest, in the film Zack and Miri do in fact "make a porno," and fall in love with each other along the way. Not exactly the mating ritual of most Pennsylvanians, but apparently something worthy of subsidizing with our tax dollars. An article posted on MoviesOnLine describes the film: "What happens when two best friends up to their eyeballs in debt decide to have sex on camera for money? Lifelong friends and roommates Zach and Miri are facing hard times and a mountain of debt. When the electricity and plumbing get cut off, they seize upon the idea of making a homegrown porno movie for some quick cash, enlisting the help of their friends."??Hey, what are friends for? The review concludes: "Zack and Miri Make a Porno is a feast of dirty talk, raunchy scenes with real love and caring amongst the characters, cooked up by the originator of the genre – Kevin Smith. Here's what he had to tell us about his new film (and) appealing an NC17 rating." Well, at least there is "real love amongst the characters." And, as a further redeeming factor a group of unemployed actors in Pittsburgh did find paying jobs acting in the film. There is the little matter of the propriety of our tax dollars going to pay actors to have sex on camera, but this is apparently a far greater use of state funds than say sewer lines. State funding for Zack and Miri Make a Porno is only the tip of the film subsidy iceberg. A "film tax credit" was also given to the mass-suicide film The Happening. Governor Rendell has also advocated such tax credits on behalf of Lionsgate, a company which gave us such classics as House of 10,000 Corpses and Devil's Rejects. Meanwhile, back at the state treasury, funds apparently are still lacking to fix those bridges. Oh, and if you want to watch Zack and Miri make a porno, you will have to pony up $7.50 at the theatre as there are no "investor" discounts. Nor are you likely to be invited to this weekend's red carpet debut. So, when you go to the polls on Tuesday, and you are faced with placing an additional $400 million in debt on your children and grand-children, think of your tax dollars going to subsidize soft core porn and ask yourself if you haven't already invested enough in sewers. (Lowman S. Henry is Chairman & CEO of the Lincoln Institute and host of the weekly Lincoln Radio Journal. His e-mail address is lhenry@lincolninstitute.org.) BEST POLITICIANS THAT MONEY CAN BUY
Posted October 31, 20008 The following story from the New York Times proves the point. Massachusetts: State Senator Charged www.nytimes.com A state senator who lost the Democratic primary last month was arrested by the F.B.I. and charged with accepting $23,500 in bribes from undercover agents who she believed were local businessmen. The senator, Dianne Wilkerson, 53, was charged with attempted extortion as a public official and theft of honest services as a state senator. An affidavit filed in court by the Federal Bureau of Investigation includes a series of still photographs from video recordings that it said showed Ms. Wilkerson accepting cash. In one series, left, taken in June 2007, Ms. Wilkerson appears to take cash and stuff it under her sweater and inside her bra. Ms. Wilkerson did not enter a plea at an initial court appearance. She faces up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines on each count. Ms. Wilkerson was ordered to have no contact with witnesses and to retain any documents related to the extortion case or her personal finances.
These still images were made from a video allegedly showing |
