Five Years After Gulf Oil Disaster, the Cycle of Injustice Continues
Welcome to Wedgewood, a historically African-American neighborhood in Florida’s Panhandle, in the northwestern part of the state, known for its white sandy beaches on shores of the Gulf of Mexico.
Less well-known, however, is that Wedgewood is also where some of the waste debris from the BP oil disaster was allegedly dumped.
As part of the BP oil disaster cleanup effort, millions of feet of containment and sorbent boom were deployed to contain and soak up the oil. And while much attention has been given to the catastrophe’s impacts on marine life, little has been written about where these huge amounts of oil-soaked waste materials have been tossed.
I recently had the opportunity to visit Wedgewood, which is the site of approximately seven landfills, or pits, where construction debris and chemical-waste companies have been tossing industrial contaminants for decades.
After the BP disaster, records indicate that waste materials, including toxic tar balls that washed up on the Gulf shores, were brought to Wedgewood for temporary storage. But local residents contend that there is nothing “temporary”—the waste was never removed.
According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, groundwater-monitoring data from Wedgewood shows elevated levels of boron, arsenic, ammonia, and iron. In July 2014, the Florida Health Department issued an alert for Wedgewood because of elevated levels of hydrogen sulfide, which the Occupational Safety & Health Administration says can cause headaches, dizziness, and even death. Pit owners have also been found to violate rules by accepting non-permitted debris, including asbestos, household garbage, and electronic waste. As a result of such a bad track record, in August 2014, the Escambia County commissioners approved a moratorium on the construction of new pits.
But so far, little has been done to stop the existing seven landfills from continuing to take in industrial debris.
During my visit to Wedgewood, I was most struck by two things: These unlined pits are just yards away from ball fields and homes—and I heard many people talk about being sick, with conditions ranging from breathing problems to heart conditions. While I cannot draw a direct correlation between these illnesses and the unlined pits, I couldn’t help but wonder.
Despite frustration and anger with the continued operation of the landfills, many Wedgewood residents cannot afford to leave their homes. The cycle of injustice continues despite the community’s increasing awareness of the health issues. A comprehensive investigation is needed into the health impacts of these pits, and community members need assistance to move away, if they so choose.
This is a powerful reminder that in the aftermath of in-water environmental catastrophes like the BP disaster, it’s not just local areas and marine life that suffer. Wedgewood isn’t the epicenter of the catastrophe, yet it is still part of the story. And just like elsewhere in the Gulf, people there are suffering.
So what can be done to achieve justice for Wedgewood’s citizens and other areas impacted by this ongoing disaster?
In collaboration with community members and local advocates, NRDC is working with law students from Fordham University to investigate what’s been happening in Wedgewood. We’re also exploring opportunities to get further involved to help get these toxic pits shut down and cleaned up. Until then, we need to make sure that this health crisis is rectified.
