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Cleanup of Coal Plant Spill Still On, but Tennessee People Worried About Long Term Impact
Late at night, three days before Christmas, earthen walls surrounding one of the plant's retention areas gave in, sending more than a billion gallons of the ash - enough to fill 1,500 Olympic-sized swimming pools coursing into surrounding waterways and some private properties.
No one was harmed, but what about the long-term health effects from the ash? For it contains potentially harmful contaminants such as arsenic.
That apart, residents of the neighbourhood are haunted by the thoughts of what would happen to their economy and culture, long defined by the picturesque waterways that snake through the lush Appalachian hill country.
"We're worried about the arsenic and whatever other contaminants are in the water, and we're worried about anything getting airborne," Mike Thomas of Roane County said. "On a lower level, we're worried about recreation hunting, boating and fishing.
State and federal officials Wednesday were awaiting results of soil testing. Preliminary air tests show no problems, although windy weather could change that. Meanwhile, some water samples taken close to the ash piles have found levels of arsenic and other pollutants that exceed drinking water standards. Officials are monitoring private wells, and say drinking water in municipal systems is safe - for now.
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