IBM Still Paying For Toxic Chemicals Effects On Upstate NY Town From Old Former Repair Site

The Southern District Court of New York ruled that IBM must reimburse the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for past costs incurred by the agency for the toxic waste cleanup of the East Fishkill area of Dutchess County, N.Y.

Water pollution effects from IBM waste. Photo by Laws.com.

The pollution contaminated local drinking water which resulted from the company’s use of a contracted facility (J. Manne Inc.) to clean and repair its computer chip racks.

The majority of the cleanup has been the responsibility of IBM, with oversight from the EPA. So far, the company has spent approximately $46 million on cleanup of the area.

Between 1965 and 1975, J. Manne Inc. operated a facility that used industrial cleaning solvents containing chemicals including tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichloroethene (TCE), which are volatile organic chemicals whose exposure can cause serious health impacts.

The NYS Department of Health says that short-term exposure to PCE can affect the central nervous system causing problems including dizziness, headaches, sleepiness, lightheadedness, and poor balance.

Long-term exposure to PCE can lead to health impacts including liver and kidney damage, reduced red blood cells, as well as effects on the immune system, such as increasing white blood cell count and antibodies.

The NYS Department of Health has also associated PCE exposure to several types of cancers including bladder cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Limited studies have also shown links to cancers of the esophagus, kidneys, lungs, liver, cervix, and breasts.

In addition, the NYS health agency looked at the effects of TCE and also found that short-term exposure was liked to problems associated with the central nervous system including effected motor coordination, nausea, headaches, dizziness, sleepiness, confusion, blurred vision, and fatigue.

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Vitamin D Deficiency Ups Risk of Multiple Sclerosis, Arthritis, Diabetes, and Cancers

Just about the only time most of us notice vitamin D is when we see it on a milk cartoon and even then we’re oblivious to it, but growing research says that maybe we shouldn’t be.

A study published earlier this week in Genome Research has mapped out the points where vitamin D interacts with our DNA. It also looked at how a deficiency of the vitamin in the body can increase the risk of a number of chronic conditions and illnesses.

  

Deficiencies in vitamin D can contribute to lower insulin production, which can exacerbate type-1 diabetes, sometimes called juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes. This is a chronic condition where the pancreas produces little or no insulin.

Overall, vitamin D works in several ways. Dr. Allen C. Bowling, a neurologist at the Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Center, said, “It’s well known that vitamin D works to promote calcium absorption (which is why it’s in milk) for strong bones. However, recent research also suggests that vitamin D may have important effects on the immune system, and may help regulate cell growth and differentiation.

“In studies of immune cells, vitamin D shows anti-inflammatory effects. Additionally, a prior large ten-year study found that women who took vitamin D supplements were 40% less likely to multiple sclerosis.”

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