First,let me say that if you are reading this you may be seeking information on solving a pollution problem.It may be at work or at home or both.
You are not alone but you may feel isolated because no one understands,not even the authorities.Their ignorance is not going to "make it ok".And believe me ignorance is a plague in our country in so many areas.Getting mad won't help much either so forget that too.
There is also the "I know that this is killing you and i dont give a damn"syndrome on all levels as well.This is a biggee and it's a real problem.
One thing i dont recommend.- Don't stick your neck out.
If you feel like disregarding my warning,at least don't expose yourself to possible retaliation by the polluter(s) in question or city or state officials until you do research and get informed on the local laws or lack of laws,and the published research online regarding your issue.In my situation,I discovered a lot of published information on the health effects,and no laws but a lightly enforced nuisance law(state) which is more polluter friendly than anything,and that was after contacting endless state agencies,city,and county with few results,just a lot of "no we dont deal with that issue"...kind of answers,or no response at all.I did it by email so my risk and expense was not as high as by regular mail.Yes we live in a difficult society at the moment...and we have to do our inquiries discreetly.
- Research is the foundation.
Well that and "keeping cool"of course.Use google or yahoo or one of the many search engines out there until you find topics related to your problems...- Print your results or save them to disc or do something so you wont lose the information if the page disappears.
Print all your emails you send out as well and the responses...yahoo is good for that.
On this website you will find some related links that i am sure you can use in your search.
- If the problem is at home,find ways to keep the pollution out of your inside environment.
- If the problem is at work,consider changing jobs.
If that isnt possible consider barriers like dust masks or other safety equipment depending on the nature of the problem.
There is the city council but ...here...its just a "businessman club" and citizens are basically ignored in most policy decisions unless there is a political threat.
Remember,it is your health,you have to live for the next however many years you have,and you need to minimize your exposure to pollution so that your quality of life can be as high as possible.
If you are thinking the doctors will help you or the insurance if you get sick,think again.Remember,people are doing without food all across this country so they can take meds...try not to fall into that scene..
Lung damage,organ damage and serious diseases can result from exposures to toxic pollution and they probably won't show up immediately.
You will probably be made fun of and called all sorts of names etc.,but remember.Find like minded individuals online and work from there.Email pm10mary at burning issues or any of the others you run across until you get answers.
In my case,the business went broke because of the economy and he couldnt cook(lol).It is just a matter of time till another one tries in the same place with hopefully the same results.It was a learning experience for me so i don't look at it as a waste of time,but face it,our current government,with its dismantling of the EPA,and the EPA policies of letting states handle things isn't helping.In addition it seems state laws are either loosely written or not enforced..here is an article on RICK PERRY you might find interesting click here and that really doesn't do much for citizens who have to live around pollution.Now they are passing laws in a lot of states courtesy of (A.L.E.C. yea look it up)that make it illegal to protest in a lot of forums...so look that up too before you start any type of things like that.
- Keep meticulous notes,times,dates,places,all that.
This is very important.No one may care,or show much interest at the moment,but you may need the information years from now if you or your children come down with serious diseases as a result of exposure to toxic substances.My substance was wood smoke...yours may be different.- We are all being forced to work in more and more hazardous environments...so be sure to take notes.
- Use common sense.
If your body says you are being affected,dont trust your supervisor or boss or anyone else...to say whether or not its "ok"...they may not know and just want you to do your job and shut up...that is why you need to to research,discreetly.
There are a lot of links out there....use your time to research.It's a matter of reasonable considerration based on facts not ...ignorance...so get the facts.It may be your child or your friends' child or you or a fellow worker or a relative.If you don't help them they may end up an invalid if its a real toxic pollutant and they are exposed on a daily basis...so listen when your family and friends complain...and encourage them to research as well.
Good luck,feel free to write me if you need any assistance.
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