Eleven coal waste and ash dumps in seven Georgia counties, including Cobb, pose a much higher risk of cancer and other health problems to people living nearby than was previously thought, according to two environmental groups that reviewed federal Environmental Protection Agency records.
"Can living next to one of these dump sites increase your risk of getting cancer or other diseases?" said Eric Schaeffer, director of the Environmental Integrity Project. "The Environmental Protection Agency thinks so, especially if you live near one of those wet ash ponds or surface impoundments."
The EPA data showed one in 50 people had increased risk of cancer if they drew water from wells near the ponds, Schaeffer said. Contaminated surface water increases the risk of cancer or other diseases for swimmers and anyone who eats fish from those streams, rivers or lakes, he said.
"EPA is also quickly moving forward to develop regulations to address the management of coal combustion residuals," EPA spokeswoman Adora Andy said in an e-mail. "EPA anticipates having a proposed rule ready for public comment by the end of the year."
A spokesman for Georgia Power Co., which owns 10 coal-fired power plants in the state, said there is nothing to suggest its coal ash ponds have caused any cancers or illnesses, or have leached into the groundwater or nearby streams or rivers. Coal ash usually contains high concentrations of arsenic, boron, cadmium, cobalt, lead and other toxins.
Jeff Wilson said the utility frequently inspects its 28 unlined coal ash ponds. Two of those ponds also require periodic checks by the state because of the size of their dams.
Wilson said the EPA study was in draft form. "Once the EPA issues that assessment in final form, we will review it and work with regulators and other stake holders to address any issues," he said.
The list of 210 sites nationwide, released by the Environmental Integrity Project and Earthjustice, included 11 coal ash ponds in Georgia. The report from the two environmental groups listed power plants in Cobb, Chatham, Putnam, Floyd, Bartow, Heard and Monroe counties.
"We now have the full picture about coal dump sites across America, and it is not pretty," Schaeffer said.
Schaeffer noted a major spill from a coal ash pond at a Tennessee power plant in December. Wet coal ash breached an earthen retaining wall, and 1 billion cubic yards of slush spewed forth, burying nearby homes.
"Since last year's coal ash spill at a Tennessee Valley Authority facility in Kingston, Tenn., the EPA has executed new efforts to prevent future threats to human health and the environment," said Andy of the EPA. "EPA is expeditiously evaluating all liquid coal impoundments in the country to determine whether they raise the type of structural integrity issue that led to the TVA spill."
Copyright 2009 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution