Hartford Iron and Metal in Hartford City is a heavily contaminated site currently undergoing cleanup mandated by state and federal agencies.  Blackford County Concerned Citizens is concerned that the contamination could have health implications for the community, so we are keeping a close eye on the cleanup.  To read what we know about the contamination, the cleanup to date, and the cleanup steps that should start soon – Click here.

Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that can seep into houses from some types of soil.  Elevated levels in a home increase the risk of lung cancer.  A limited number of discounted tests are available for Blackford County.  If you are interested, contact Indra at ifrank@hecweb.org.  Kits are also available for $15 each by calling the radon info hotline 1-800-272-9723.  Additional information is available at  www.HealthHouse.org.

Blackford County Concerned Citizens, in partnership with the Hoosier Environmental Council, has tested soil at Southside Elementary, the Babe Ruth baseball field in Hartford City, and Montpelier’s Little League fields for heavy metals that might have been left behind by glass factories decades ago.

All of the soil samples from Montpelier and Southside Elementary School had the same levels of arsenic and lead as soil generally does in this part of Indiana. A few deposits of arsenic and lead were found at Hartford City’s baseball field, high enough to exceed Indiana’s residential standard, but well within the standard for recreational fields.

While the arsenic and lead levels found are within state recreational field standards, they are high enough that it’s worth exercising caution when you are at Hartford City’s baseball fields. BCCC recommends parents do a few simple things to limit exposure to the soil:

• Don’t let children get the soil in their mouths
• After spending time there, wash your hands and children’s hands
• Wash clothes that have soil on them (like baseball uniforms)
• Leave shoes that have been to the site at the door, don’t wear them into your home

See full details of the soil testing here.

In The Star Press yesterday there was an article that discussed the disturbing medical mystery in Blackford County that the rates for Cancer and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (or ALS) were higher than than any other county in the state. Leah Aubrey was quoted about these statistics and the death of her father from cancer.

The article is here:

http://www.thestarpress.com/article/20140219/LIFESTYLE/302190015/Hartford-City-cancer-study/

There also is an older article that was posted to the Blackford County Concerned Citizens Facebook page which discusses a case against 3M for illegal dumping in Minnesota.

The article is here:

http://www.startribune.com/local/east/219481111.html?page=all&prepage=1