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THE TOXIC COCKTAIL The metals inherent in the coal itself, the metals found in the water that is NPDES approved, the metals in the waste water, the metals in the water that are leached out of the waste impoundments, the sulfur compounds that fill the air around the waste impoundments and the Polycyclical Aromatic Hydrocarbons that are also in the air around the waste impoundments make for a "toxic cocktail" of both air and water pollution. This pollution is around any mine but is of special concern for the residents of Hillsboro and Schram City, Illinois as the proposed Deer Run mine is located on the boundaries of both cities. The links below provide ample evidence of the excess amounts of the metals and gasses within the "toxic cocktail". The EPA Standards are from the EPA web site. The amounts of each are compared with the EPA Standards for primary drinking water. While it is true that the contaminants will most likely not appear in the drinking water, there is the very real possibility of ingestion via breathing. There are no EPA Standards for airborne pollutants in a residential setting. Therefore, one might consider asking the question: "Is it really safe for me to be breathing air that contains all of these contaminants?" Remember, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency approved the permit for the operation of the Monterey #2 mine. This alone is clear evidence that the existing statutes DO NOT provide for the protection of either the environment or the people. 2. Metals present in coal mine waste water. 3. Polycyclical Aromatic Hydrocarbons found in Illinois coal slurry. |