ARE FACILITY'S EMPLOYEES AWARE OF SITE'S TOXICITY?
By Margaret Havey

The News Tribune (Tacoma, WA)
April 18, 2004

http://www.tribnet.com/opinion/letters/story/4979234p-4907384c.html

Re: "Detention center discord" (TNT, 4-8). [The text of this article, which, as Margaret Havey points out in the letter published in the News Tribune and reproduced below, makes no mention of the environrmental problems making a prima facie case for grave health risks to both detainees and guards at the Northwest Detention Center, is available at here, and a number of other articles providing more details on this subject are available in the "Local News" rubric of the UFPPC website.]

Sean Robinson's article on the Northwest Detention Center was surprisingly absent of the many controversies surrounding the detention center. The most pressing concern is that the prison has been built almost on top of a Superfund site. I am flabbergasted that the facility center was built at such a location.

The prison is mere yards away from one of the most toxic areas in Washington state. The Tacoma Tideflats have been on the Environmental Protection Agency National Priorities List for the past 20 years.

According to a five-year review report in July 2003, the cleanup had made no significant progress. At that location there are still hot spots for arsenic, lead, carcinogenic PAHs and PCB contamination.

This concerns our community because the individuals detained at this location have no choice but to stay in such a highly toxic environment. Moreover, the guards who are employed by the Correctional Services Corp. face long-term exposure which can lead to serious health problems.

Correctional Services Corp. has a sordid history in other states. It is very unlikely that the guards have been notified that they are working directly adjacent to a Superfund site.

MARGARET HAVEY
Tacoma