JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A local college professor is asking city leaders for money to help figure out why people are getting sick in the Durkeeville neighborhood.
Action News Jax first reported about the contaminated site along Fairfax Street in October. It’s the site of the former Wood Treaters plant. People living nearby complained the City Council about health problems they have including arthritis, cancer, headaches and other respiratory issues.
Wood Treaters used hazardous chemicals for 30 years. Shaontayne Dickins’ husband used to work there. “He has a lot of breathing problems. He’s been on a machine also,” said Dickins.
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Just this week, Dr. Brian Seymour, a professor from Edward Waters College, told city council he wants to expand a study on local health problems in this area. “I can specifically see what is causing the problems all the workers are having,” said Dr. Seymour.
He has already found people living in this community have high rates of asthma. He’s asking the city council for $200,000 to see how bad the problem really is. “I have physicians and allergists,” said Seymour. “Within two years, we can sort out what they’re being contaminated with.”
According to new information released from the Environmental Protection Agency, plans are moving forward to clean up the site. The agency hopes to have a proposed plan to the show the public next year.
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