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Massive Flood of Toxic Ash Swallows Tennessee Area, Heads to Mississippi River

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Klebert L. Hall
12/25/08

In reply to Massive Flood of Toxic Ash Swallows Tennessee Area, Heads to Mississippi River
Fly ash really isn't all that toxic, folks. Yes, it's about as toxic as crude oil, but crude oil isn't very toxic, either.

Both also biodegrade very quickly, on the order of decades.

Having your property buried in crud is going to be the biggest, most annoying effect of this. Everything else will be pretty short-term and transparent.

-Kle.
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capnrob
12/25/08

@Klebert L. Hall: Actually, no, this is completely wrong. Fly ash is what's left after the coal is burnt; this leaves the stuff behind that doesn't burn ... heavy metals, for instance. A relative of mine works in fly ash dump site remediation, and knows the respirator, goggle, and environmental suit manufacturer reps by name, because he goes through enough that he gets the big volume discounts. Depending on the ash, there can be enough nasty stuff in there to kill all life pretty much instantly, or just cause severe brain damage in vertebrates over the next millenium. I know, personally, as I was there when it was rediscovered, of a fly ash dump site from the forties that's got enough lead in it to (metaphorically speaking) sharpen it and use it as a pencil, and only the fact that it's in relatively impermeable ground has prevented it from reducing IQ scores for three counties around.
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Klebert L. Hall
12/26/08

@capnrob:

You, and many others, take toxicity way, way, too seriously.

Heavy metals vary widely in their concentration in coal deposits. They also tend to have very little effect in water supplies, due to low solubility, the tendency to settle out, and ease or removal in treatment plants.

For example, lead shot has only been banned for waterfowl hunting because the waterfowl feed off the bottom and eat the shot - not because the lead gets onto the water.

Look to the environmental impact statements coming out from the testing of the disaster area. I'm sure some of you will think that's just a government conspiracy, but if you do, feel free to eliminate yourself from the discussion. Irrationality brings nothing to the debate.

-Kle.
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RAHfanboy
12/26/08

@Klebert L. Hall: You and your damn common sense.
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Trai_Dep
12/24/08

In reply to Massive Flood of Toxic Ash Swallows Tennessee Area, Heads to Mississippi River
Considering the environmental "enhancements" that the extraction industries have already introduced to the so-called Right-To-Work states, how, pray tell, can they tell when ravages have occurred?

And, more importantly, how quickly will the companies push the costs of this on the taxpayer? I'd hate to see their holidays inconvenienced.
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Athensjail
12/24/08

In reply to Massive Flood of Toxic Ash Swallows Tennessee Area, Heads to Mississippi River
Eh...Memphians don't drink river water. People in TN don't drink Mississippi River water. There are artesian wells in Memphis that supply water for most of the midsouth. Now, the TVA does provide electricity for quite a few states, even outside of the south. During the Californian power crunch, TVA provided and still provides electricity.
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Trai_Dep
12/24/08

@Athensjail: ...The Enron power crunch. There. Fixed it. :)
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Super Moose
12/24/08

In reply to Massive Flood of Toxic Ash Swallows Tennessee Area, Heads to Mississippi River
Seriously volcanoes every year spew out considerably more ash into the environment than this. I for one think if nature does it, than we can do it to.

Now if you excuse me I need to mark my territory specifically around my neighbor's house.
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Smeagol92055
12/24/08

@Super_Moose: Toxic Ash: Do it to nature, before IT does it to YOU!
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Trai_Dep
12/24/08

@Smeagol92055: Since asteroids hit every half-million odd years, you'll excuse me. I have a neighbor's house I'm going to blow up. :D
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resonanteye
12/24/08

In reply to Massive Flood of Toxic Ash Swallows Tennessee Area, Heads to Mississippi River
Frightening. I grew up in mining country (PA) and my uncle was talking to me about this this morning- that stuff is scary.
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