Birmingham, AL (WIAT)
Testing for toxic chemicals in the air takes expertise and time. Something families in North Birmingham are tired of hearing. They want answers now, not later, to what dangerous chemicals are in the air and soil at their homes and schools. They also want to know how it is effecting their health and when will it be cleaned up. Representatives from the Federal Envrionmental Protection Agency and Jefferson County Health Department held a community meeting Monday night at Hudson k-8 school in Collegeville. They wanted to give a report to residents concerning their year long toxic testing program in North Birmingham. They are now at the halfway mark.
One of the things EPA and county officials did was to distribute answers to a list of questions they were not able to get to during a similar meeting this past August. Residents wanted to know about long term exposure and the effects on future generations. They also wanted to know when testing would be done on residents. Mayor William Bell joined the meeting and has been working on that issue himself. He recently sent a letter the federal agency who would be responsible for such a study, the Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry. He said he's not happy with ATSDR's response saying they basically are putting it off. He vows not go give up on the matter.
Residents have also asked when the Jefferson County Health Department will step down and let the EPA handle regulatory authority over the Clean Air Act. Birmingham City Councilor Johnathan Austin wants to see that happen as well. He wants Birmingham City to take over the job. Austin told our investigative team that he believes the county has done a poor job in handling air issues. He said, "I believe the county is capable of enforcing air quality standards but they don't have the will to do so." Jefferson County is the only county in the state of Alabama that regulates the Clean Air Act.
North Birmingham residents were hoping for answers to their concerns but clear answers were hard to come by. They were told that the area is about to be declared in attainment which means they are in total compliance with national air quality standards. That came as a surprise to citizens who know that a couple of dozen homes and some schools have had unacceptable levels of contamination.
Residents were less interested in technical explanations and more concerned about what's being done. "Somebody needs to come up with conclusive answers to what is happening in this community", said Collegeville Resident Chester Wallace.
Jefferson County Health officials promised information. They say part of the problem is finding out how to get it out there. They asked for input from the residents attending the meeting on how they can do a better job publicizing public comment periods for air permits. They vow to hold meetings every other month next year to cover many topics that residents have said they have concerns about.
