The community of Curtis Bay in Maryland has been plagued by industrial disasters and the ongoing pollution caused by a coal-export terminal. Over two years since the terminal explosion, the residents still bear the burden of the carcinogenic coal dust that covers their homes and streets, affecting their daily lives and health. This article explores the environmental injustice faced by Curtis Bay’s residents and calls for action to address the dire situation.
Children in Curtis Bay are particularly vulnerable to the respiratory illnesses caused by the toxic coal dust. They are forced to stay indoors during recess due to the difficulty of breathing in the polluted air. The statistics reveal that the rates of respiratory illness in this community are among the highest in Maryland. It is an alarming reality that schoolchildren in Curtis Bay lose loved ones to these illnesses at an alarming rate.
The Maryland Department of Environment’s decision to open public comment on the impact of the open-air coal pier on Curtis Bay is an important opportunity for change. However, it is disheartening to hear proposals suggesting mass displacement of the residents as a solution to the pollution problem. Extreme measures like these have been advocated before, denying the fundamental rights of the community.
In the past, when conditions became unbearable due to explosions in nearby neighborhoods, residents were forced to fight for their own evacuation. Unfortunately, they had to resort to dramatizing the imminent danger rather than focusing on their actual health issues. They eventually won financial compensation to leave their homes, but the consequences of long-term exposure to pollution remained with them.
It is concerning that officials fail to recognize the long-lasting impact of pollution and displacement. They celebrate when areas are “cleared” without acknowledging the embodied impacts of exposure, such as heart disease, lung cancer, asthma, and other respiratory illnesses. By prioritizing industry interests over the well-being of the community, officials have contributed to the dire situation in Curtis Bay.
As the Maryland Department of Environment decides the fate of the coal pier, they must prioritize the lives and health of the Curtis Bay residents over the interests of a multinational corporation. They need to address both the immediate explosions and the cumulative impacts of coal dust exposure on the residents’ well-being and the environment. The community demands a solution that allows them to stay and thrive in their beloved hometown, free from the burden of coal pollution.
It is time for today’s leaders to learn from past mistakes and prioritize environmental justice in Curtis Bay. The residents deserve a future where they can enjoy the outdoors and live in a clean and healthy environment.
FAQ:
1. What is the main issue faced by the community of Curtis Bay in Maryland?
– The community of Curtis Bay has been plagued by industrial disasters and ongoing pollution caused by a coal-export terminal.
2. How are children in Curtis Bay affected by the pollution?
– Children in Curtis Bay are particularly vulnerable to respiratory illnesses caused by toxic coal dust. They are forced to stay indoors during recess due to the polluted air.
3. What are some of the health issues faced by the residents of Curtis Bay?
– Residents of Curtis Bay suffer from high rates of respiratory illnesses such as lung cancer, asthma, and heart disease due to long-term exposure to pollution.
4. What has been the response of officials to the pollution problem in Curtis Bay?
– Officials have failed to recognize the long-lasting impact of pollution and displacement on the residents’ health and well-being, prioritizing industry interests over the community.
5. What solution does the community demand?
– The community demands a solution that allows them to stay and thrive in their hometown without the burden of coal pollution.
Definitions:
– Carcinogenic: Having the potential to cause cancer.
– Environmental injustice: Unfair distribution of environmental burdens, where marginalized communities bear a disproportionate amount of pollution and its health impacts.
– Multinational corporation: A company that operates in multiple countries.
Suggested related links:
– Maryland Department of Environment
– Environmental Protection Agency
– United Nations Environment Programme