(no subject)

[nibot]

In New York State, zip code 14652--Rochester ranked 1st in the nation for toxic pollution linked to cancer. This zip code led all zips in the nation for emissions of cancer- causing chemicals from 1987-2000. Of the 64.4 million pounds of carcinogens released over that period, more than 58 million pounds were air releases of dichloromethane by Eastman Kodak Co. — NYPIRG via kodaks toxic colors dot org.

There's a bright side to the withering of Kodak... Although I expect that digital camera production is no cleaner, only concentrated in southeast asia this time.

I want to photocopy a little zine-like booklet about all the awesome things in Rochester. I'll give it to the prospective students who visit (and lots of other people). Of course it will include little bits like the above as well.

Comments

[hypostatization.livejournal.com]

we're also the murder captial of new york.

[random-boy.livejournal.com]

I just wanted to provide some interesting counter-point to the above sites. The links below are Kodak press releases. I'm sure the "truth" lies somewhere in between. But the two issues I have with the types of reports you mentioned are: 1) Kodak is (still) a unique manufacturing site in its size and concentration, and 2) Things are much better than 17 years ago, and not just due to volume reductions (which have really only hit since late 2000). These aren't excuses, but they do need to be taken into account when looking at the data.

This response (http://www.plinkor.net/lj/ek_response.html) from 2002 discusses many of the claims above. In regards to dichloromethane (a.k.a. methylene chloride), I'm not too happy with the whole "known human carcingen" versus "possibly carcinogenic to humans" thing.

This release (http://www.plinkor.net/lj/ek_goals.html) is an update from April, 2004 on the company's environmental goals.