In California, 5 Kettleman City Infants Born With Birth Defects in 14 months, 3 Die

[annm4peace]

(reminds me of the movie Erin Brocovich)

Kettleman City Residents Call on Government to Declare Health Emergency and Stop New Permits for More Pollution as Kings County Officials Ignore Birth Defect Cluster, Push for More Pollution

5 Kettleman City Infants Born With Birth Defects in 14 months, 3 Die



Kettleman City, CA – Parents of infants born with birth defects in the tiny San Joaquin Valley town of Kettleman City will spoke out on Wednesday, July 8, 2009 to plea for a halt to more pollution in their community. The press conference will take place in front of the Kings County Government Center, 1400 West Lacey Boulevard, Hanford, California.

Parents of children born with cleft palates and other defects, including parents of infants who died, will be joined by community and environmental justice groups to call on government agencies to declare a health emergency and institute a moratorium on permits for new pollution.

El Pueblo, Kids Protecting Our Planet, Greenaction and the Center on Race, Poverty and the Environment will also announce a major march and rally to be held in Kettleman City on Saturday, July 18th to honor the infants who have passed away and to call on government agencies to stop the proposed expansion of the Chem Waste Kettleman Hills toxic waste dump and the proposed power plant in Avenal.

A community health survey conducted last year by community groups and Greenaction uncovered the birth defects. Five children were born with birth defects in approximately 14 months starting in September 2007, and three of the infants died. It is estimated that approximately 30% of children born in this period had birth defects, a staggering percentage. Information is confirmed on four of the infants, with information being sought for the fifth.

Kings County Health Agency staff were told about this birth defect cluster over six months ago but have done nothing to investigate. At the same time, the Kings County Planning Agency, the State Department of Toxics and the United States Environmental Protection Agency all continue to attempt to issue new permits for the proposed expansion of the Chemical Waste Management hazardous waste facility. Adding insult to injury, the California Energy Commission is trying to approve the proposed Avenal Energy Project over community opposition.

###

http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/07/09/18606570.php

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. They have a hell of an uphill battle to fight

I was involved in the research phase for a cluster, and let me tell you, it is hard to proof.

But from the information provided... absolutely. It is very possible,

[annm4peace]

4. I hope you can help them.

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. I'm not even close, but can identify the signs

our cluster involved both sides of the border.

[annm4peace]

11. just making others aware helps.

or writing one of the organizations involved.

[Selatius]

8. I bet you a lot of money was invested in expanding the toxic waste dump/putting up power plant.

The businesses that put up money for those projects will not simply give up the projects or be forced to pay for clean-up and medical bills. They don't operate as charities. They are going to litigate this thing to hell and back, and then they're going to get their lobbyists to sweet talk the state regulatory agencies as well as cut deals with people on Capitol Hill.

There is going to be one hell of a war over this thing.

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. That is why I said that is an uphill battle,

at least there is one slight advantage... this is fully in the US... our system is broken, but there are systems that are far more broken

[ContinentalOp]

2. Ugh, so sad. I swear I get sick every time I drive up and down the 5 but my family thinks I'm crazy

There is so much disgusting pollution in the central valley though.

[annm4peace]

6. It is controlled by Neo-cons.

Never let your friends vote for Conservatives.

well, maybe that isn't all true. it is really about Big Corporate Farm operations, Chemical companies and the Congress people who take their donations. Dems and Gop.

[truedelphi]

14. I can never reconcile the fact that an area that smells like it

Is mostly industrial, with reams of odors similar to melting tar, paint thinner, benzene etc
Is actually the area where so much of our food is grown.

For humans to eat! I cannot imagine the damage that the pesticides and herbicides do to the workers.

And the utilities like PG & E should be ashamed of themselves.

[Selatius]

3. Who gives a flying fuck over a few dead babies!? Millions to tens of millions is at stake here!

Put up the fucking power plant, now! California is hungry for power! Remember those bullshit blackouts that rolled through California!? Good money was paid to the fucking EPA and the local authorities to get this shit passed, and we're not about to let a bunch of dirty goddamn hippies torpedo millions of dollars in investment and planning all for the sake of dead babies. :sarcasm:

[annm4peace]

7. Sat, July 18th, 1pm March for the babies who have died.

Saturday, July 18
1 p.m.
Fiesta Del Pueblo & march for environmental justice in Kettleman City, Avenal, and all San Joaquin Valley communities. This event will be held at Kettleman City Park where there will be

* Food, Music and Protest for Environmental Justice! The PeopleThe People Demand:
* No Expansion of the Chemical Waste Toxic Dump in Kettleman City!
* Stop the Polluting Power Plant Proposed in Avenal!
* Clean Air and Water for all San Joaquin Valley Communities!
* No More Environmental Racism!

This protest is in honor of the children of Kettleman City born with birth defects and who have passed away. Sponsored by El Pueblo Para El Aire y Agua Limpio/People for Clean Air & Water, Kids Protecting Our Planet, Lucha Por Salud Justicia Ambiental, Greenaction for Health and Environmental Justice, Center on Race, Poverty and the Environment, San Joaquin Valley Latino Environmental Advancement & Policy Project, El Comite para el Bienestar de Earlimart, and the Central California Environmental Justice Network For more information contact Greenaction 559-583-0800 or 661-912-4798 www.greenaction.org

[Maru Kitteh]

9. If the birth defect rate is truly 30% they should just abandon the town immediately

No amount of money and no sentiment could keep me there if it's that bad. I would just pack up my family and walk away.

[annm4peace]

10. the have NO money

Kettleman City is a very sad place. Very poor. Most people don't know the incredible poverty pockets of CA. You would think were in a 3 world country.

[ContinentalOp]

15. It's not like the birth defects are sullying a place that's otherwise a paradise. -nt-

[PBS Poll-435]

13. Erin Brockovich WAS working on a case in Kettleman Hills after the direct action in Hinkley

nt

[XemaSab]

16. The Center for Race, Poverty, and the Environment

is in serious danger of closing after the death of their founder last month.

PLEASE if you can spare anything donate to them.

[Cleita]

17. The whole San Joaquin Valley is becoming a toxic pond because of

commercial agricultural practices that are not environmental, not to mention the chemical waste dumps that are allowed.