Wednesday, January 21, 1998
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 5
KU study examines toxins
EPA gives $650,000 to examine health near Kansas plants
By Graham K. Johnson
Kansan staff writer
Professor Dennis Lane did something unusual last Tuesday. Instead of answering student's questions, he went to Chanute to answer questions about his research from locals who normally wouldn't care.
Lane, professor of civil and environmental engineering, went to Chanute to help stimulate public participation for the Southeast Kansas Health Study. The study will evaluate the possible health risks of pollution from a high concentration of waste-burning plants in the Chanute, Fredonia, Independence and Coffeyville areas of southeast Kansas.
"People are very curious. Here is this KU professor setting up little black boxes and they want to know what's in them, why do you care?" Lane said. "I went down there to help answer those questions."
John Smith is the United States Environmental Protection Agency's project engineer for the
study. He said the agency had called for the study, in part, because of complaints and health concerns voiced by citizens of the region since the mid-1980s. The EPA also wanted to determine whether the close range of the four plants might increase the toxic effect despite individually meeting safety regulations.
"It's kind of unique to have four commercial waste-burning facilities in such close vicinity." Smith said.
The plants include three cement- mixing plants in Chanute, Fredonia and Independence, and an incinerator in Coffeville.
Last September, the EPA granted $650,000 to the University of Kansas Medical Center to conduct the study in conjunction with the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Lane and Glen Marotz, professor of civil engineering, will take air pollution samples and the Med Center will study human health issues.
The first phase of the two-and-a half year study will be dominated by "stakeholder's" meetings, community meetings to answer concerns and get citizens involved through their suggestions, and voluntary participation in medical testing.
Smith said the stress placed on community preparation and involvement made this study unique.
Andrew Rohrback / KANSAN
"It's a different way of doing studies," Smith said. "It's probably even less common to the average scientist."
But public participation will be necessary to gather good data about the health of those potentially affected by the pollution from nearby plants. Lane said.
"It was a little bit of an adjustment for me. But it was fun. It was very successful," Lane said. "If you can't get the community involved, then you aren't going to have good science."
Lane said the study was not merely an attempt by the EPA to quell the community's concerns.
"This is not just P.R.," Lane said. "There is a legitimate scientific question here."
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