Late Friday night, as Barbara Lee, Director of the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), was releasing yet another batch of racist, derogatory, disrespectful, sexist or otherwise insulting emails written by staffers about their own colleagues or the communities they regulate, environmental attorney Anthony Patchett was preparing a missive of his own.
In a fiery hallway exchange last night at Torrance City Hall, Congressman Ted Lieu rightfully exchanged angry words with Exxon executive Roger Conant, the Refinery Process Manager, about Exxon's refusal to respond to all subpoenas, “I am protecting the residents of Torrance."
What do Caitlyn Jenner and residents of a small, poisoned development in Riverside County have in common? They have both been disparaged and belittled by a top state toxicologist.
Over near Porter Ranch, SoCal Gas’s catastrophic natural gas leak continually belches a noxious black cloud. Besides emitting enough planet warming methane to fill the Empire State Building every day, it’s giving residents headaches, dizziness, nausea, and nosebleeds. They’re breathing methyl mercaptan that, at very high levels, can cause anemia and internal bleeding; benzene, a known carcinogen; and radon, a radioactive gas.
One would think the Exide lead pollution scandal would have taught our top toxics regulator what never to do again. Instead, the agency is poised to repeat the same mistakes; this time with Exide’s rival lead battery recycler, Quemetco.
In California, low-income minorities overwhelmingly live in the most polluted communities in the state. You would think that the agency mandated to protect them from toxic harm would be sensitive and respectful to these populations, making every effort to apply environmental laws and regulations equally to all. But you would be wrong if you are talking about the scientists tasked with determining whether toxic cleanups are needed.