Controversy Over Toxic Incinerator

I’m appalled at the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to allow construction of a toxic waste incinerator in Vernon (Part I, Nov. 17). I feel the decision borders on criminal negligence.

We already have, damn near, the worst air in the country. Evidently the EPA doesn’t think our air here is bad enough. Given the various wind conditions in the basin (prevailing westerlies, Santa Anas and thermal inversion layers) every resident in the Los Angeles basin is a potential victim in the event of an accident or malfunction at the facility.

Our regulatory agencies are already overworked. Remember the chlorine gas accident in Commerce not so long ago? Remember the admitted incidents and near accidents at various nuclear power plants recently? Remember the oil spills in L.A. recently? And we are expected to rely on these agencies to protect us? Obviously we have to dispose of these toxins, but in the middle of a highly populated area?

Eventually we have to eliminate toxic products and byproducts from our lives. As consumers we must demand a cleaner marketplace and environment.

Maybe we should change the Environmental Protection Agency’s name to the Entrepreneur Promoting Agency.

We are facing another example of profits for a few overriding environmental concerns and the health and safety of the many. Folks, if we don’t act to protect ourselves, who will?

DAVID SHOEMAKER

Los Angeles