Love Canal Research Paper

HUMAN HEALTH EFFECTS
Many toxic chemicals were found at Love Canal although some are considered more dangerous than others. Some only caused minor health effects such as benzoic acid causing skin irritation. While some were more serious, causing spontaneous abortions and liver dysfunctions such as dioxin.11 Other chemicals included are benzaldehyde which is a skin irritant and benzene which is also a skin irritant with chronic effects like leukemia and anemia.11 A chart is shown below of compounds found at Love Canal and the acute and chronic effects.

Figure 1: ("Love Canal: A Special Report to the Governor & Legislature")

Epidemiological studies were conducted in the area to determine the severity of the contaminations and were motivated

submitted a declaration estimating that 21,800 tons of chemical wastes had been buried in the Love Canal over the 11-year period.10 Based on that information, the list of chemicals that would be analyzed was tailored within the categories of contaminants.5 The categories included: volatiles, phenols, pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and inorganics.10 The chemical analyses of soil, air, and water (drinking water, surface water, groundwater, “sump” or basement water and in biological/microbial samples) samples of a specific sampling site determined what was present, its amount/concentration and the extent and means of the chemical migration from the landfill.5 The presence of of a contaminant does not always constitute action. The analysis of chemical migration, and certain chemical properties called for different actions. The quantification and analysis emphasized dioxins and PCBs. Dioxins, non-volatile organics, were found in the reduced in the soil with the highest concentration approximately 300 parts per billion (ppb) and in smaller concentrations in been found in leachate collected from remedial holding tanks, soil samples from the canal and backyards of nearby homes and sediment and marine life.10 The reduced form of dioxin binds so tightly to charged soil particles that it poses virtually no risk to leaching or mobility.2 Therefore the soil contaminated with

A leachate treatment facility was constructed in 1979. Groundwater, air quality, and soil samples were obtained in the early 1980’s to determine habitability. By 1984 additional work involved, “1) the abandonment, plugging, and cleaning of storm and sanitary sewers immediately adjacent to the Love Canal (Rings I and II); 2) inspection, cleaning and repair of the barrier drain; and 3) the installation of a new, expanded cap with a synthetic liner and soil over approximately 40 acres.”13 The following maps have been included to show where air and soil samples were