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They Say 'Don't Worry'? Are They Kidding?

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By STEVE OTTO

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 30, 2008

You learn after a while - and usually when it's too late - that when someone says "Not to worry," that's about the time you'd better start doing just that.

A toxic plume has been spreading out from the Raytheon chemical plant in St. Petersburg, not too far south of the Tyrone Square mall. That this is happening is not exactly a new story. In 1991, contaminants were discovered when construction work was ongoing on the Pinellas Trail, a recreational trail that goes directly by the plant. In 2005 it was learned that a groundwater plume was moving away from the plant in the direction of the nearby Azalea subdivision.

Now things are really heating up, after parents at the Azalea Elementary School received written notices that the district is monitoring the plume and its effects.

The state says not to worry. The experts from Raytheon say not to worry. Everybody seems to be running tests while at the same time insisting there is no need for concern.

Right. One of the jobs I had while attempting to work my way through school was at the Stauffer Chemical Plant out on Orient Road. They hired lots of college students because the hours were flexible, the pay was pretty good and college students seem to have this sense of invincibility.

We Didn't Know Squat

It was hot work, made hotter by the heavy uniforms, gloves and face masks they gave us as we loaded and unloaded chemicals that all seemed to end in "alathion." I didn't know squat about what they were except that after so many hours, we were supposed to use the company showers and get back to work.

Nobody ever said this was unhealthy or potentially dangerous work. It ultimately occurred to me after about three weeks that if I stayed the rest of the semester, I would not only be glowing at night but also might not live to be 20.

That was a very long time ago. Today the grounds of the old plant are a federal Superfund site, and nobody is quite sure what is stirring around just under the surface.

I found the same attitude years later when I began writing about the people who lived around the county landfills in the Seffner-Mango parts of the county. They were convinced the landfills were taking in unauthorized toxic waste and that some of it was leaching into their wells.

The county denied everything and for years did its best to thwart the residents, sneering at them until the citizens - led by a woman named Cam Oberting - proved the county wrong.

Bring In The Nitpickers

Which brings us to Raytheon. I have no idea if there are poisonous toxins worming through the Azalea subdivision or sinking into the aquifer. I do know that if the citizens are concerned then, it is the obligation of elected officials to be doubly concerned. This is that moment when bureaucracies should raise their nitpicking heads and do just that - start digging and picking and acting as advocates for the people.

Bring in the inspectors. Bring in those overpriced consultants. Don't stop until there isn't the slightest doubt that this a safe place for people to plant gardens and for kids to lie on the grass staring at clouds. When it's all over there should be no more questions, only answers.

Keyword, Otto Graphs, to read and comment on Steve Otto's blog.

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