So what if the casino increases nitrates in groundwater

August 31, 2010

Anonymous Laurel Leader-Call The Laurel Leader-Call Tue Aug 31, 2010, 10:27 AM CDT

LAUREL — To the editor:

Governor Barbour's August 25th letter to the EPA requesting that construction of the casino in Jones County stop until environmental issues are addressed and mitigation determined highlights just one of the many concerns people have about the casino.

The language of the EPA staff member sounds matter-of-fact when he expresses concern about the capability of the MBCI plan to treat and dispose of waste water. It's easy for us to understand what the impacts of not adequately treating bathroom wastes or having a plan for disposing of the resulting sludge; the "yuck" factor pretty much does that.

However, one item in the EPA comments that might get overlooked is the risk of higher nitrate levels in public and private groundwater sources. I can tell you from my experience that nitrates in a water supply are a major health concern. When I was an elected official, we had to shut-in more than one public aquifer because that aquifer exceeded the EPA allowable limit of 10 parts per million.

Excessive nitrates are a significant health risk to infants which could result in methemologlobinemi, otherwise known as "blue baby."

Because infants' digestive systems are not yet fully developed, their stomach acid isn't strong enough to kill the bacteria which convert nitrates to nitrites. These nitrites combine with hemoglobin to form methemoglobin which keeps their blood from providing oxygen throughout their body ultimately resulting in tissue death.

Boiling water does not solve the problem; instead, it further concentrates the nitrates. According to the EPA, there are only three effective water treatment methods, ion exchange, reverse osmosis, or electrodialysis. Anyone who relies on ground water and has an infant in their family should have their well water tested.

This is a risk that must not be introduced into the community surrounding the casino in Jones County and is another indication of the lack of foresight and preparation by the leadership of the MBCI.

– Quintin Kidd

Eagan, Minn.

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