Acid Mine Drainage Plagues Southern Ohio: Environmental Degradation in the Heartland

Acid Mine Drainage in Southern Ohio: Environmental Degradation and Social Injustice in the Heartland

In the lush landscapes of Perry County and Southern Ohio, a silent danger lurks beneath the soil, threatening the core of communities already grappling with the weight of poverty and compromised health. Acid mine drainage, a side effect of abandoned mines seeping heavy metals and toxic substances into waterways, is a ghastly reminder of the area’s industrial past and the devastating consequences it continues to inflict on the land and its residents.

The Toll on Environmental Health

According to a report from the Ohio Department of Health, Perry County has witnessed an alarming average of 225 new cancer cases per year, with a cancer incidence rate of 484.1 per 100,000 and a cancer mortality rate of 180.9 per 100,000 residents between 2016 and 2020. In comparison, the national cancer incidence rate was 438.7 per 100,000 and the cancer mortality rate was 149.4 per 100,000 for the same years. While various factors contribute to cancer incidence, the existence of heavy metals and other carcinogenic pollutants from acid mine drainage cannot be ignored in Perry County.

Acid mine drainage poses a crucial threat to human health, with heavy metals like arsenic, lead, and cadmium leaching into water sources ( https://www.epa.gov/nps/abandoned-mine-drainage). These menacing pollutants find their way into drinking water supplies and agricultural lands and impact the daily lives of unsuspecting residents. Prolonged exposure to these toxins have been linked to a plethora of health issues, including cancer, neurological disorders, and developmental abnormalities, exacerbating the already precarious state of public health in the region.

Real Sick Estates

Real estate companies advertise residential lands as idyllic locations with serene waters for fishing and recreation, despite clear contamination and telltale signs of toxic sludge. The average cost of vacant land in the US for residential use is $16,000 per acre. In Perry County, the tainted lands can be purchased for residential use for less than $6,000 per acre.

The poverty rate in this part of Appalachia is 15.5%, with 14.6% of the population under 65 disabled. The overall per capita income of Perry County, according to the 2021 US Census is $29,675. The population of Perry County is approximately 35,000 people. These statistics are very similar throught other counties in Southeastern Ohio.

With inexpensive land, zoning laws (or the lack of) that allow for campers, trailers, and alternative housing, an alarming lacking of public awareness about the health effects of prolonged exposure to sulfuric acid and heavy metals, the market practices assist with maintaining the status quo of poor environmental health, poverty, and human illness. Many Southeastern Ohio residents drink water from wells or springs in the area and there is no agency that mandates regular monitoring of private water sources used for consumption.

The Economic and Social Fallout

The man-made wastelands of acid mine drainage not only imperil human health but also undermine economic progress, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and environmental degradation. Abandoned mines, once the epitome of economic growth and prosperity, now serve as haunting reminders of industrial decline, rendering vast regions of land unusable and unfit for development.

In a region where economic opportunities are already scarce, the environmental devastation wrought by acid mine drainage is a barrier to revitalization efforts. The toxicity of water sources and degradation of land deter potential investors and perpetuate a cycle of poverty, depriving communities of the resources needed to break free from systemic disenfranchisement.

A Call to Unite and Heal the Heartland

The plight of Perry County and Southern Ohio demands urgent attention and direct action from both government authorities and the general society. While initiatives like the recent patent aimed at reviving polluted streams ( https://www.wyso.org/local-and-statewide-news/2023-02-09/new-patent-aims-to-revive-southern-ohios-polluted-streams ) offer small glimmers of hope, comprehensive and sustained intervention is necessary to address the multiple layers of challenges brought forth by acid mine drainage.

Government agencies must prioritize the remediation of abandoned mines and invest in infrastructure to mitigate the release of toxic and harmful substances into waterways. Community-driven initiatives that focus on environmental conservation and sustainable development can empower residents to reclaim agency over their surroundings and foster resilience in their communities.

According to historians, there are over 4,600 mines under the surface in Southern Ohio that have been identified from historical mine maps. Researchers believe there could be an additional 2,000 - 4,000 that were never officially mapped. The impacts of these abandoned sites are boundless and may never fully be studied or understood with at least 600,000 acres impacted in Ohio alone.

The battle against acid mine drainage is not merely a fight for environmental restoration and preservation, but a quest for justice and dignity for the communities rampaged by its consequences. Educating citizens of these communities is imperative to the success of any environmental advancement. Ohioans must confront the legacy of industrial exploitation, and stand in solidarity with Perry County, Southern Ohio, and Appalachian residents, advocating for a future where economic prosperity and environmental stewardship go side by side.

References:

Acid Mine Drainage Plagues Southern Ohio: Environmental Degradation in the Heartland

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