Cancers, diseases, reproductive issues – these are but a few of the many health risks brought on through the buildup of toxic waste in our environment. Spanning several generations, these dangers have been largely ignored or even covered up. It doesn’t have to be this way. You can be the change!
It is well known that the Kalamazoo River and its surrounding areas have had a history of being dumping zones for waste– whether it be from nearby farms, paper mills, or from the people themselves. In fact, the pharmaceutical giant, Pfizer, has a drainage pipe (for their chemical wastes) that empties into the river itself– further rendering it unsafe for consistent recreational use.
Over the years, many locations in southwest Michigan have been listed under the Environmental Protection Agency’s superfund sites – sites that had been contaminated by waste (both dumped and ill-managed). Since then, teams have been sent out to clean these places up, so that they’ll be safe for use. However, many areas near these sites have been largely overlooked. These areas are called Sacrifice Zones, and house thousands of citizens that are oblivious to the issue at hand.
Roughly a year ago, Otsego resident Mary Zack Clark demanded change. Clark grew up in the area, and, between herself, her mother, and two sisters, they are battling a shocking total of six different cancers. They, unfortunately, were not the only ones fighting cancer. In fact, in 2023 alone, six of her former classmates passed away from cancer, with hundreds more continuing to suffer. No one knew what was causing this. They believed the source came from the land itself, and thus spent years gathering up all like-minded individuals to demand the area to be tested. After a government health agency tested the area in question, they discovered traces of harmful chemicals such as PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls), PFAs (Polyfluoroalkyl Substances), and other forms of dioxin– including the main ingredient in Agent Orange, a herbicide created and used by the U.S military during the Vietnam War. In the end, the agency determined the chemicals in the soil and water to be “at safe levels,” sparking outrage amongst concerned citizens like Clark.
While it may seem hard to believe, it is important to know that Otsego isn’t unique in this case. There are millions of small towns in the U.S alone that continue to suffer from the effects of pollution. It’s up to those who are aware of these devastating effects to inform others and spark change.
