What Exactly Is ACME? What Did This Location Provide?
ACME is a corporation that specialized in several different things. From making coke products, to being a general dumping ground for unnecessary items. This particular location that is located in Illinois, was not originally part of the Superfund plan that Joe Biden’s Association had in place.
However, there are many factors that have been taken into consideration. Those factors contribute to the process that Joe Biden and his association have in mind to make this ACME location part of the plan in the coming future.
What Factors are Contributing to This Decision?
As aforementioned, there are many factors that are contributing to this decision that was carried out. “The long-abandoned Acme Steel coke plant on the Southeast Side poses “significant threats to human health and the environment,” according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The reason being, is that there were several chemicals that posed significant threats to humanity as a whole.
“Government officials said in a 2007 report that cancer-causing chemicals in the soil posed a health risk. Trespassers stirring up dirt could inhale the toxic materials, and this was particularly dangerous for children, the report said,” according to the Chicago Sun-Times. However, there are many that are angered by the fact that this decision has taken so long, as this should have been a top priority years ago.
Many Agree That This Should Have Been A Priority A While Ago
Due to the fact that they have taken a long while to make this a top priority, this project will take an even longer time to completely fix. “That site should’ve been a priority a long time ago,” said Peggy Salazar, the retired head of the Southeast Side group. “It stifles our community from moving forward.”
Additionally, there are multiple requests that this particular location be saved, and can be used as something other than what was originally intended. Therefore, this location can certainly still serve a purpose. However, the first step is to rid the location of the toxic chemicals that surround it. This can also pose a significant risk for those outside of the location. When people trespass, they contaminate themselves with these chemicals. This then can end up spreading the toxicity around the state, and the nation.
Where Are They Receiving The Funding To Complete This Project?
Receiving assistance within the clean-up itself has not been an easy task whatsoever. This takes a large effort from a lot of professional workers within this industry. There are several types of toxic chemicals that are being worked with, therefore extreme caution is required. However, they are receiving a lot of financial assistance from the federal government.
“Last year, the SCCD was awarded a $585,000 cleanup grant from the Environmental Protection Agency for the asbestos abatement within the old power plant buildings,” according to Sheridan Media. Additionally, they are receiving even more funding for the rest of the clean-up itself. Asbestos is not the only problem within this old building. There is also waste of different types, old batteries, and many more things that they have to worry about.
Future of This Clean-up
The hope that this building can be used again as something other than what is was before, would be a huge help to the ecosystem. These chemicals certainly do not help the Earth nor humans in any positive aspect.
Additionally, being able to receive funding, and additional help in the clean-up process, can certainly help speed up the process. However, the anticipation remains in which this project should be completed within the next couple of years.
Written by David Loran Jr
Sources:
Chicago Sun-Times: Toxic Acme site on Southeast Side picked for EPA Superfund cleanup
Fox 32 News: Toxic Acme site on Southeast Side picked for EPA Superfund cleanup
Sheridan Media: Toxic Acme site on Southeast Side picked for EPA Superfund cleanup
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Tony Kent’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Elvert Barnes’ Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
