How Ironic...a validation of my last Blog Post on Chemical Releases!

In my last Blog Post I wrote about the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA) 2007 update to the the "Toxics Release Inventory" (TRI). Hazardous materials releases that must be reported to USEPA are listed in the TRI database.

I entered my home zipcode in the TRI datase last week, and discovered that a Georgia-Pacific Chemical facility is located within one miles of my home.

Where is the Irony you ask?? Today, I read in the Sacramento Bee that the same Georgia-Pacific was fined $2.4 Million for illegally diluting their chemical waste and disposing it into the sewer. They saved $300,000 per year by not hauling their waste to an approved disposal site.

Where is the environmental harm? Liquids that are disposed in the sewer system travel to sewage treatment plants. Sewage Treatment Plants rely on a delicate balance of natural bacterial organisms to decompose sewage. These bacterial balances can be disrupted when unexpected chemicals enter the process. Not only do chemicals harm Sewage Treatment plants, but the liquids from them are sent directly to our local rivers with out further treatment.

Home buyers should check the TRI database so they can make informed decisions about the are they are thinking of purchaseing a home.

Environmentally Yours,

Nancy Lancaster is a Realtor and Ecobroker practicing in the greater Sacramento region for Lyon Real Estate . Visit Nancy Lancaster website to find homes for sale in Sacramento. Nancy Lancaster sponsors a unique program called "Healthy Homes For You".