By Ahsley Bouman

We are currently living in a "chemical society." This situation has existed since the Industrial Revolution during which the majority of toxic waste began to be produced. The word "toxic" has always carried a menacing connotation and we are taught from a young age to never touch or go near anything that carries this label. But how does this apply to toxic waste sites that have contaminated public land? The land itself is harmful and it is right beside communities of people.

Toxic waste and/or pollutants are waste materials that can cause injury, illness or death among living organisms. They are obviously detrimental to the environment. They frequently contain carcinogens which are chemicals that can increase the risk of cancer with prolonged exposure. Specific groups of people who live within or close to an infected area often display the symptoms of such illnesses. Soil is considered contaminated when it has human-made chemicals present in its otherwise natural environment. The origin of the initial contamination can be from the unintentional release of chemicals, or the improper disposal of hazardous waste, usually carried out illegally.

Toxic waste does not only come from industrial resources. It can also come from our homes. We use a multitude of chemicals in our everyday activities. Such activities include: washing, eating, house-cleaning, lawn care, gardening and driving. Toxins come from cleaning products, cosmetics, automobile exhaust and lawn care products. Toxic waste is also produced by chemical fertilizers and pesticides that are used in agriculture. The military contributes to the production of such waste by way of nuclear weapons testing and chemical welfare. Specific areas that are normally contaminated are factories, mines, military bases, airports, laboratories, historic landfills, lighthouse stations and harbours. Many other places may also be affected since cross-contamination can occur through water and air.

There are currently many programs in place for decontaminating toxic areas. An example of a toxic waste clean-up is the Hunters Point Shipyard located along the southeastern bay of San Francisco, which was once an active U.S. Navy base. It has been closed for many years and recently sparked interest for a redevelopment project. Before any measures were taken for reuse, however, the site needed to be cleaned-up and deemed "safe." The site is being treated as a Superfund-equivalent site which means that it must follow the United States federal law that has been implemented to clean up abandoned hazardous waste sites. Due to the contamination of the surrounding land, air and water, residents living near the site have the highest rates of cervical/breast cancers, as well as a range of respiratory illnesses including asthma, out of all of California. This is a prime example of the adverse effects toxic waste sites have on communities in regard to public health.

As an individual, you can make an impact on the reduction of toxic waste by monitoring and controlling the types of chemicals you bring in and use in your household. Try to integrate a chemical-free philosophy in your everyday activities. Conduct a search on your most commonly used cleaning products to find an environmentally-friendly alternative; almost every household item has a green counterpart. You can even make your own chemical-free cleaning products rather inexpensively. The most powerful materials you need should already be in your pantry: baking soda, vinegar and lemon juice. A great all-purpose cleaner that works everywhere consists of one cup water to one cup vinegar. The smell can be overpowering but the mixture has very effective cleansing capabilities. Baking soda works in place of scrubbing powders. To activate the carbonate properties and make the area shine, use along with vinegar or lemon juice. This works especially well for pots and pans. Slowly reducing your own use of household chemicals will ease the amount of chemicals used in your neighbourhood.

Governments and environmental/non-profit organisations need to bring more awareness of the problems concerning toxins and the impacts on human life/health, wildlife and plant life. There needs to be a better system of controlling, patrolling and regulating the amount of industrial waste that businesses produce and dispose of. This is a very serious problem that needs to be dealt with accordingly, incorporating stricter rules, regulations and laws coinciding with harsher punishments. When we put the environment at risk, we all suffer.

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