Coal cars pollute

Sat., April 20, 2013

I am writing because I am a parent and resident of Spokane who is extremely worried about increased coal pollution from Peabody, Arch and BNSF Railway via coal dust dumped into our water sources such as the Columbia River Gorge. As a result, fish will be exposed to carcinogenic hydrocarbons and toxic mercury and arsenic. The fish will then be offered to us at our grocery store. Additionally, hydrocarbons are the leading cause of cancer, especially childhood-onset cancers.

It is reprehensible to allow increased hydrocarbon and toxin pollution to affect our children and ourselves. Local individuals will experience the health effects and the coal companies will laugh all the way to the bank.

Spokane-area residents and Washingtonians please, please stand up against this egregious practice.

Heather Magrath

Spokane

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