Document mB1DpJ3bYeNxaJX8w3NXKrBdJ
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8/30/78
T. Provomy ' D. R. Bishop W. B. Papageorge J. C. Weber E. T. Mollica J. R. Ortiz - E2ND
FROM: G. F. Barton
N-
THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER 8/13/78
N.C. Officials Say Tougher Rules
Will Deter Chemical Dumping
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find out what has happened to hazardous c**--
. RALEIGH --- State officials say tighter regulations produced or used in the state.
governing handling of hazardous chemicals will help
Howaver, while the regulations will make It diffi
prevent Intentional dumping of toxic wastes. ,
cult for a North Carolina company to dump chemicals
Authorities believe thousands of gallons of polych along tha highway, they will not affect any such ac
lorinated biphenyl (PCB), a substance known to cause tion by an out-of-state firm.
cancer In mice and illness in humans, wars deliberate
Authorities have speculated the chemicals may
ly dumped along 250 miles of North Carolina high have been discharged along the highways because the
ways during recent weeks. It is tha most blstant vio cost of legally disposing the material la expensive.
lation of environmental protection laws encountered Production of the chemical, used as Insulation la elec-
by state officials.
rtcal transformers and capacitors, was suspended last
Robert Carter, head of the water quality branch year.
of the N.C. Deportment of Natural Resources, said Tha chemical Is dangerous to humans because U
nine arena covering IS counties were affected.
does not deteriorate, but Instead accumulates in the
Carter aaM lab tests art being conducted to deter fatty tissua. There are no facilities for disposing the
mine the chemical concentration in each area to de chemical in North Carolina.
cide how to treat the soil. Officials then will decide Carter and Martin Hines, director of the epidemio
whether to leave the chemicals in the soil, cover the logy branch of the human resources deportment, said
spill sUm or remove the contaminated sou.
the danger of chemical sputa Is growing because of
Carter seld he expected test results by Monday. the number of new substances being developed.
The public health division of the human resources "We know so much more about many chemicals
department is adopting procedures for keeping track than we did 10 to 15 years ago," Hines said. "At that
af dangerous and toxic chemicals from manufacturing time we probably didn't know that tame of these per
lb final disposal.
sistent chemicals wera goiag le post any kind of
Carter said tha regulations will make It easier to problem.**
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