Re: mercury spill advisory

More | Report Post

Mary-
Thank you for the prompt reply, and yes we have discussed
it before, (the full extent was not known), and yes I am
altimately responsible for my actions and except my personal
fate, it is unfortunate however that so many others have been
affected by a culmination of negligence, this is merely a
posting of notice from classmates.com, it is from a sense of
responcibility that leads me to warn any other(s) that may
have been exposed, my sole purpose is to get the word out, I
feel it my civic duty.

7/22/04, Mary wrote:
> Hey Fred:
>
> We've discussed this before, haven't we. Tell us what you
> think your own level of negligence might be.
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Mary
>
> On 7/21/04, Fred R. Dressler wrote:
>> (1) Stevenson, (wa) Highschool Mercury spill
>>
>> In 1970 a one pound flask of liquid mercury was taken from
>> the science lab by my brother John Dressler a juvinile
>> (now deceased), at the age of 8 I ingested a significant
>> amount of this material and subsequently spilled no less
>> than 12 oz.s on the second floor of the "old Ziegler home"
>> located on Gropper rd. directly across from the school.
>> My diagnosis of heavy metal poisoning and sence of civic
>> duty prompted me to contact local law inforcement, the
>> epa, school dist.303, the Ska. Co. Health dept. and the
>> Ska. Co. Pioneer,(sole media sorce of the county)and
>> lastly, (pursuent to fedral law concerning the spill of
>> one pound or more), to the National response agency.
>> After consulting Bryce A. McCollum Psy. D. (county
>> agent/sole psycologist) on the matter it was suggested
>> that I should contact anyone spending prolonged periods of
>> time in the house between 1970 and 1985 as the spilled
>> mercury permiated the second floor for over a decade,
>> eventually puddled between floors, seeping through the
>> kitchen ceiling as it evaporated.
>> After contacting no less than 15 individuals I was
>> astonished to find that 100&37;, (without exception) are
>> showing, not,"similar", symptoms, but rather, "Identical",
>> symptoms, this number could easily double or triple.
>> Feeling it a matter of public safety and awareness, I
>> contacted the Ska. Co Pioneer who informed me that they
>> could not print "supposition", (Although the flask was
>> personally handled by no less than 8 individuals and the
>> facts are irrefutable),and that the matter would have to
>> go through the Ska. Co. Health dept., who were in turn,
>> immediatly contacted.
>> The health dept. acknowledged receiving my prior
>> notification and deemed from their office chairs
>> that, "since the house was destroyed by fire in 1990, it
>> would no longer be a hazard", and, "Besides, that would
>> require testing, and guys in suits and stuff, you know how
>> it goes", needless to say I was surprised.
>> It would seem to me, that due to it's proximity to the
>> school, (less than 100 feet), that you would at least do a
>> prelimary, (enviromental level), test prior to reaching
>> that conclusion rather than reaching a conclusion prior to
>> any testing.
>> I then asked the Health Dept. "What about those
>> individuals that spent time in the house that I'm not
>> personally aware of?, don't they have a right to know that
>> they may have been exposed to a known health risk?", the
>> answer was "NO", I was astounded.
>> I then asked, "Isn't there a way you could inform the
>> public through a published advisory?", the answer was, "If
>> you want to inform the public you will have to file a
>> class action". I was appalled, (seems like a lot of
>> trouble to go though just to do what they should be doing,
>> looking out for the public's wellbeing).
>> I then stated that the bottle and it's remaining content
>> are still in existance today, ironically at the home of a
>> retired teacher who was never made aware of the loss, I
>> was merely asked, "Is the cap still on it?", and, "If so,
>> don't worry about it".
>> I found this last statement disconserting considering even
>> after 30+ years it was still considered, "stolen
>> property",and a hazardous material whose location was made
>> known, there was no attempt to retrieve it,are they
>> waiting for another 8 year old to open it?
>> The fact that the bottle was not reported missing until 20
>> years later by teachers who knew the loss, is no less than
>> gross negligence, the fact that nothing was mentioned to
>> the public and that there may still be enviromental or
>> health consequences, to me, is continued negligence.
>> Symptoms include: memory and speach difficulties,tremors
>> or involuntary muscle contractions, confusion, social
>> anxiety,(see EPA website/mercury).
>> If you or someone you know spent prolonged periods in the
>> afore mentioned house you are urged to contact me, The
>> only reason I've chosen this method to inform the public
>> is because of the Health Dept. and Pioneer's failure to do
>> so.
>> Fred R. Dressler
>> (904) 710-6166