For close to 30 years from the late 1950’s into the 1970’s “paint sludge” and other industrial waste products from the Ford Motor Plant in Mahwah, NJ was dumped into the Upper Ringwood (NJ), Hillburn (NY), Mahwah (NJ) and Torne Valley (NY) areas. Immediate effects for many children who played in the “paint sludge” were self-reported to include rashes, bleeding from the nose, eyes, throat, and severe headaches. However, the long-term health effects are less clear due to lack of documentation and no direct linkage to the chemicals dumped; anecdotal evidence from the Turtle Clan suggests that overall life expectancy has decreased dramatically over time. Additionally, community rates of diabetes, kidney stones, miscarriage, asthma, gastrointestinal disease and skin disorders are alarmingly high. (Environmental Protection Agency, 2015) (Rodriguez, 2015). Upper Ringwood was placed on the Federal Superfund List in the 1980’s. The site was officially “cleaned-up” by Ford and taken off the Priorities List in the 1990’s. However, due to toxic wastes still found on the site after its removal from the Superfund List, Ringwood was placed back on the List in 2006. The current EPA “final cleanup plan”, which was finalized in June 2014, is to cap the main known contaminated areas: Peter’s Mine Pit, Cannon Mine Pit, and O’Connor Disposal Area. However, this plan leaves concerns by some residents regarding leakage and continued exposure. M., 2015) (O'Neill S. F., 2013)
“Just as ripples spread out when a single pebble is dropped into water, the actions of individuals can have far-reaching effects.” –Dalai Lama
The Ramapough Turtle Clan-NYU Health Action Alliance is seeking to drop the first pebble, and set into motion a positive ripple effect for the Ramapough Native American community and surrounding neighborhoods. As a first step, the Alliance is gathering detailed information that will be returned to the community, through surveys about the community’s health needs and concerns. Goals of the Health Action Alliance: Unlike other surveys the Ramapough’s have taken in the past, the goal of our questionnaires is to look, listen and hear directly from you how we can help and what actions are needed going forward. We hope that all those who live currently or in the past in Upper Ringwood, Hillburn, Mahwah, and/or Torne Valley areas will feel welcome to participate in taking a survey and helping us to achieve our goal of a 100% survey participation rate. Work Cited:
Environmental Protection Agency. (2015, December 7). Contaminants of Concern at Ringwood Mines/Landfill. Retrieved from Environmental Protection Agency Superfund Site Information: http://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/SiteProfiles/index.cfm?fuseaction=second.Contams&id=0200663
Jan Barry, B. (2006). Toxic Legacy. Retrieved from The Record: http://toxiclegacy.northjersey.com/
O'Neill, J. M. (2015, April 16). Feds Approve Ringwood Plan for recylcing center on Superfund site. Retrieved 2015, from NorthJersey.com: http://www.northjersey.com/news/feds-approve-ringwood-plan-for-recycling-center-on-superfund-site-1.1311028
O'Neill, S. F. (2013, September 30). EPA Announces $46.7M Ringwood Cleanup Plan. Retrieved 2015, from NorthJersey.com: http://www.northjersey.com/news/epa-announces-46-7m-ringwood-cleanup-plan-1.644024
Rodriguez, E. EPA Revises Final Cleanup Plan for Ringwood Mines Superfund Site in Ringwood, NJ. Retrieved December 2015, from Environmental Protection Agency: http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/AF3C2A9649CEF8A785257E2900544DDE
