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Cancer
The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) issues permits allowing industries to discharge cancer-causing chemicals into our rivers and lakes at a level ten times less protective than almost any other state in the Southeast.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Alabama, killing about one in every five Alabamians who die each year. Each year, 24,000 Alabamians are diagnosed with cancer and the state ranks sixth highest in the country in cancer mortality rate.
In June of 2007, eighteen organizations, including the Alabama Rivers Alliance, put forth a petition asking the Environmental Management Commission to strenghten policy governing cancer risk in our water. That petition was dened.
However, the EMC did commission a Cancer Risk Advisory Panel to study the issue further. This group, consisting of representatives from various state agencies, businesses, public health officials, academia, and environmental organizations, met once and submitted comments to a list of thirty three questions. Rivers Alliance partners, Conservation Alabama and Mobile Baykeeper, participated in the panel. Responses can be found on the ADEM website www.adem.state.al.us.
On December 14, 2007, the EMC voted to move forward and initiate rule making regarding the allowable level of carcinogens in Alabama waterways, a first step toward making water cleaner and safer across Alabama.
No justice, no place: Alabama Arise develops environmental justice initiatives