Love Canal

CASE STUDY: LOVE CANAL

Background of the StudyIn 1894, William Love began to build a canal in the Niagara Falls area of New York State to unify waterways into efficient shipping systems.Due to economic depression, the project was abandoned.

In 1942, the Hooker Electrochemical Corporation leased the canal as a waste dump to dispose of toxic waste from the manufacture of chlorinated hydrocarbons and caustics.

After exhausting the contents of the canal, (around 21,000 tons of toxic chemical). Hooker capped the hazardous waste landfill with impermeable cap.

Background of the Study

In the early 1950s the local School Board began making inquiries on the Love Canal propertyThree years later, Hooker sold the land to the Niagara Falls School.


An elementary school was built in the middle of the property and the surrounding land was sold by the School Board to developers who built homesIn 1958, three children suffered chemical burns from wastes that had resurfaced at the former canal site.


By 1978 occupants of the homes in the area had begun to organize Love Canal Homeowners Association (LCHA) which is led by Lois Gibbs.

On August 2, 1978, a public health emergency was declared by the New York State Commissioner of Health. It purchased the 239 homes nearest to the canal and assist the displaced families in relocating this action costs $42 million in excess to government.


The NYSDH did conduct a survey study of the residents in the remaining homes which concluded the safety of the residence. Members of the LCHA rejected the Department's assurances, citing the fact that chemical seepage was evident beyond the evacuated area.


Lawsuits sued the Occidental Petroleum Corporation, which bought Hooker Chemical in 1968.In 1994, the federal case was settled for $129 million and the clean up of the Love Canal was finished.


ViewpointLove Canal Homeowners Association (LCHA)

Timeframe1994: This is when the federal case was settled and the clean up was recently finished.

Statement of the ProblemPrevention of toxic waste exposure to residents of Love Canal in the future.

Areas of Consideration

Strength Opportunities

• Inexpensive refurbished home for sale

• Place is cleaned up of toxic wastes

• Attracts frugal buyers or poor families

• Favored by the government

Weakness Threats

• Past issues with safety• Possible remnants of toxic

waste

• Stigma of past hazard• Media influence

Alternative Courses of Action

Advantages Disadvantages

• The residents will no longer need to search for a new residence.

• Less cost.

• many are still not convinced and the toxic-free is not fully assured.

• The stigma/trauma of the residents.

ACA1The residents of the love canal will evacuate and will return after the clean-up.



• Safer place to the residence to live in.

• The residents will no longer worry with toxic exposure.

• New environment adjustments• No career assurance for the

residents to be relocated• The students will more likely to

transfer to other school• More cost

ACA2The residents of love canal will relocate even though there will be a clean-up operation.



• A chance for no relocation needed results to less expense.

• Developer might formulate a solution that will give the residents and company a bigger opportunity.

• A chance for a bigger expense for proposed solution of the consultant.

ACA3A developer will be hired to conduct a study and formulate the best solution.

Conclusion

It is recommended to follow the ACA 2 and ACA 3 that the residents of love canal

will relocate and a developer will be hired to conduct a study to formulate the best

solution. Even though there will be a clean-up operation for the residents to have

a safer place to live in, there is no assurance that the toxic wastes still lingers in

the said area. In addition to that, the residents will no longer worry for the risk of

being exposed with the toxic waste. After the relocation of residents and cleanup

operation, a study will be conducted by a developer to formulate the best solution

that might give bigger opportunity to the area.

Action Plan

ActivitiesPerson/Group Responsible

Remarks

Look for prospective site for relocation LCHA Hold a meeting Lois Gibbs Prepare for the financial matters LCHA Prepare the needed documents for relocation

LCHA

Prepare for moving in to new residence LCHA Relocate the residents LCHA Hire a developer NYSDH Conduct a study Developer Formulate the best solution Developer Implement the solution NYSDH

Education

Love Canal