1 billion gallons of toxic sludge dumped by Tennessee power plant

January 7, 2009
9:28 pm

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Heather L. Ryan, R.N., C.L.N.C- Heather Ryan is a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant with 15 years of experience in the health care industry. Her expertise in reviewing medical records and assisting lawyers with the determination as to whether legal action should be taken provides an invaluable asset to the newsroom. Medical-malpractice, products liability, personal injury and workers’ compensation are some of the recent areas of litigation Ms. Ryan has focused her efforts on. A member of the Florida Justice Association, Heather maintains a long list of certifications and credentials to support her areas of expertise and stays up-to-date with her clinical knowledge working as an emergency room/trauma nurse, at a Level 1, Adult/Pediatric trauma and teaching institution in South Florida.

1 billion gallons of toxic sludge dumped by Tennessee power plant

Tennessee Valley Authority spills over 1 billion gallons of toxic sludge into river. The Clinch River sustained coal sludge contamination the size of 1,660 Olympic pools.

A toxic tort is a personal injury caused by exposure to a toxic substance, such as asbestos or hazardous waste. Victims can sue for medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering.

West Palm Beach, FL (JusticeNewsFlash.com)–The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the largest public power company in the nation, spilled more than 1 billion gallons of toxic sludge into the Clinch River on Monday, December 22, 2008. So far, 15 homes were damaged, the area was evacuated, and over 300 acres were covered with sludge. This massive central Tennessee spill is a byproduct of ash from coal combustion at a local power plant. The ash was being held at a TVA retention site at the plant in Kingston, about 40 miles west of Knoxville, TN. The TVA claimed they will clean up the mess. Concerned consumers and Roane County Emergency Management officials asked the state and federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) www.epa.gov to take action.

Environmental and legal experts remain concerned about the long-term effects of the toxic spill on area drinking water, especially water from local wells. The TVA power plant sits on a tributary of the Tennessee River called the Clinch River. According to Wikipedia www.wikipedia.org, the Tennessee River is the largest tributary of the Ohio River. It is approximately 652 miles long and is located in the southeastern United States in the Tennessee Valley. The Clinch River, a popular fishing site and fresh water area, is now home to piles of dead fish along its banks because of the spill. According to environmental specialists, the ash contains concentrated levels of mercury and arsenic. Long term effects after spills much smaller than this have proven catastrophic to drinking water supplies, fishing and wildlife, and residents of contaminated areas.

A massive hazardous waste spill, such as this, can lead to poisonings from heavy metals like arsenic and mercury. The long-term effects on residents can be devastating. If you have been injured or are suffering from a disease after being exposed to toxic chemicals you may have a claim. Consulting a personal injury lawyer who specializes in toxic torts may help you receive compensation.

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