While many adults wonder what to do, National City students challenge the Navy's toxic dumping practices.
by Masada Laverne Mitchell, ecofeminist
ith pen and computers in hand, the students
of Na- tional City Middle School's Star program showed just how bright they
can really shine.
When I presented the class with a video news
clip from Channel 10, showing an old toxic waste dump from World War II
used by the Navy, the class was overwhelmed with measured alarm. The Site
was paved with concrete in 1975 and used as a parking lot. The dump site
contained banned pesticides, DDT, volatile compounds, extremely high levels
of lead and PCB's over 100 times the amount allowed by the Environmental
Protection Agency. On top of all that was infectious wastes from the five
Navy medical and dental clinics hazardous chemicals and toxins too numerous
to list here.
The Navy report read like a nuclear weapons
arsenal. The cleanup, which was supposed to be done in seven weeks, starting
in Oct. 1996, has not yet been completed due to newly-discovered radioactive
metals found a few months ago. Radioactivity can last for thousands of years,
depending on the type of isotope.
The navy should be ashamed of itself for putting
that contamination and radioactive garbage in National City. I wrote and
told them so. But this time, I got help from the students I now call the
"Junior Environmentalists of National City."
The third-graders of Mrs. Wilkerson's Olivewood
Elementary class were the first ones to write letters and draw pictures
of sick marine and wildlife, telling the navy to stop poisoning our planet.
Joy Williams of the Environmental Health Coalition provided us with facts
to show that National City has San Diego County's third largest share
of hazardous waste. This is lamentable, especially with all the schools
in our area.
Toxic poisoning has left a lingering legacy
in our beautiful city. A few years back, National City middle school had
to be evacuated twice when a fire and explosion sent toxic gasses into the
air. Mr. Ernie Anastos, principal at the school with a great love for children,
is now planning to raise environmental awareness for Earth Day in April.
In addition, some students at nearby Kimball
Elementary, and adults who live close to the cluster of industries on the
west side of National City Blvd., are suffering from chronic illnesses.
Environmental incorrectnessThe eighth grade Star students' level of intelligence
and devotion to our community is a reflection of the great wisdom of their
teacher, Mrs. Laura Marugg, who patiently guided the students in proper
letter composition. The young Stars' inquiring minds challenged the Navy's
environmental incorrectness with thought-provoking questions about the increased
potential for birth defects in humans and wildlife, and contamination of
ground water. They asked why the Navy put that radioactive "trash"
so close to where people work and live.
The letters were sent to the Dept. of Toxic
Substances Control in Long Beach. As a result, a representative is going
to come visit the school to discuss toxic pollution. We rewarded the students'
efforts with a little party.
The letters were shown to the Chief Librarian,
Anne Campbell, and were presented to the City Council and Mayor of National
City. At that time, the council was also asked to investigate other possible
places radioactive material may have been dumped and "covered up."
Copies of letters from both schools are kept in a special citizens response
file at the National City Library for viewing by the public.
Yes, we pledge allegiance to the earth and
all the life which it supports. One Planet, in our care, irreplaceable,
with sustenance and respect for all.
