The Terrebonne Schriever Waste Incinerator, located in Schriever, Louisiana, has left a toxic legacy in its wake, posing significant environmental and health risks to the surrounding community. The incinerator, which operated from 1990 to 2015, was designed to burn hazardous waste, but its inadequate design and operation led to the release of toxic pollutants into the air, water, and soil.
History of the Incinerator
The Terrebonne Schriever Waste Incinerator was built in the late 1980s by the Keep,int LLC, a company that specialized in hazardous waste management. The incinerator was designed to burn a variety of hazardous wastes, including solvents, pesticides, and industrial chemicals. However, from the outset, the incinerator was plagued by problems, including inadequate pollution controls and poor maintenance.
Environmental Impact
The incinerator’s operation had a devastating impact on the environment. The burning of hazardous waste released toxic pollutants, including dioxins, furans, and heavy metals, into the air. These pollutants were carried by winds and deposited in the surrounding area, contaminating soil, water, and air. The nearby Bayou Terrebonne and Bayou Blue were particularly affected, with high levels of toxic pollutants found in the water and sediment.
The incinerator’s emissions also had a significant impact on the local air quality. The release of particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) contributed to poor air quality, exacerbating respiratory problems and other health issues in the community.
Health Effects
The toxic legacy of the Terrebonne Schriever Waste Incinerator has had a profound impact on the health of the surrounding community. Exposure to the toxic pollutants released by the incinerator has been linked to a range of health problems, including:
- Cancer: The incinerator’s emissions of dioxins, furans, and other carcinogens have been linked to an increased risk of cancer in the community.
- Respiratory problems: The release of particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and VOCs has exacerbated respiratory problems, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Neurological problems: Exposure to heavy metals and other toxic pollutants has been linked to neurological problems, including cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative diseases.
Community Response
The community surrounding the Terrebonne Schriever Waste Incinerator has been vocal in their opposition to the incinerator’s operation. Local residents, concerned about the health and environmental impacts of the incinerator, formed advocacy groups to push for its closure. In 2015, after years of community pressure, the incinerator was finally shut down.
Current Status
Although the incinerator is no longer operational, its toxic legacy remains. The site remains contaminated, and the surrounding community continues to bear the brunt of the environmental and health impacts. Efforts are ongoing to clean up the site and provide compensation to affected residents, but much work remains to be done to address the full extent of the incinerator’s toxic legacy.
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The Terrebonne Schriever Waste Incinerator’s toxic legacy serves as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible waste management and environmental stewardship. The incinerator’s operation highlights the need for stronger regulations and enforcement to prevent similar environmental disasters in the future. As we move forward, it is essential that we prioritize the health and well-being of our communities and the environment, and work towards a future where toxic legacies like that of the Terrebonne Schriever Waste Incinerator are a thing of the past.
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