Since the Downeaster came to Brunswick in November, it has spent more than 5 hours each day just idling on the tracks, spewing toxic diesel exhaust into the air we breath. A few weeks ago, the train started idling in the Brunswick West area, bringing it even closer homes. NNEPRA does not have the funding to construct any layover facility, let alone one that would meet the requirements needed for the location they originally chose, and the neighborhood must suffer as a result.
NNEPRA's "experts" have said that there is no real danger to us, yet in 2012 the International Agency for Research on Cancer (part of the World Health Organization) reclassified diesel exhausts from a group 2A of probable carcinogens to a group 1 of substances that have definite links to cancer. The below was taken from a Reuters story from June of last year (http://www.reuters.com/
"The experts, who
said their decision was unanimous and based on "compelling" scientific
evidence, urged people worldwide to reduce their exposure to diesel
fumes as much as possible.
"The
working group found that diesel exhaust is a cause of lung cancer and
also noted a positive association with an increased risk of bladder
cancer," IARC said in a statement.
The
decision was the result of a week-long meeting of independent experts
who assessed the latest scientific evidence on the cancer-causing
potential of diesel and gasoline exhausts.
It
puts diesel exhaust fumes in the same risk category as a number of
other noxious substances including asbestos, arsenic, mustard gas,
alcohol and tobacco.
Christopher
Portier, chairman of the IARC working group, said the group's
conclusion "was unanimous, that diesel engine exhaust causes lung cancer
in humans".
Yet another recent study links the particulates matter in air pollution to Autism Spectrum Disorders.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57554703/autism-risk-increases-with-air-pollution-exposure-study-finds/
"Exposure to air pollution during pregnancy may increase the likelihood a child will develop autism, according to a new study.
"Although additional research to replicate these findings is needed, the
public health implications of these findings are large because air
pollution exposure is common and may have lasting neurological effects,"
wrote the study's authors led by Dr. Heather E. Volk, an assistant
professor of preventive medicine at the University of Southern
California in Los Angeles."
How to Report suspected Violations of the Clean Air Act to the EPA:
EPA New England Headquarters (Region 1)
5 Post Office Square - Suite 100
Boston, MA 02109-3912
1-888-372-7341
Curt Spalding, Administrator for EPA's New England Region (Region 1)
Phone: (617) 918-1010
Email: spalding.curt@epa.gov; EPA-region01-RA@epa.gov
Call or you can report them online at:
http://www.epa.gov/tips
How to File a Complaint with the Maine DEP:
(for more information, please go to http://www.maine.gov/dep/how-do-i/how-do-i.html?id=318800)
To report a possible violation of one of the laws or rules administered by the DEP, call your nearest regional DEP office. If you so desire, your report may be made anonymously. Field services and enforcement staff in each regional office are available to take your call. To reach our regional offices:
in Augusta call (207) 287-3901 or toll free (in-state only) at (800) 452-1942;
in Bangor at (207)941-4570 or toll free (in-state only) at (888)769-1137;
in Portland at (207)822-6300 or toll free (in-state only) at (888)769-1036; and
in Presque Isle at (207)764-0477 or toll free (in-state only) (888)769-1053.
You may also report a violation or file a complaint by calling the DEP’s toll free line in our central office in Augusta at (800)452-1942. This phone number will connect you with a receptionist at the front desk. After you have briefly described the situation you wish to report, you will be transferred to a staff person who can take down your information. The staff person to whom you report the possible violation or complaint may ask a few questions or request additional information intended to assist enforcement staff. It is not necessary to have answers to all the questions in order to report a possible violation
