It probably didn't take more than a few seconds for the scientists behind a recent controversial study on the toxic effects of sludge fertilizer to figure out the best place to run their tests. How about going to a poor black neighborhood where we'll offer residents with children "free lawns" and food coupons in exchange for participating in the government-funded sludge study but not really tell them that the sludge is toxic and dangerous and fail to offer any follow-up medical testing? Perfect!
The purpose of the study was to test whether or not sludge — made from human and industrial waste — can protect children from lead in the soil. What the scientists failed to mention to the nine, low-income Baltimore families that participated, was that some scientists believe that the "heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, other chemicals and disease-causing microorganisms" found in sludge have possible harmful effects.
"In many relatively wealthy people's neighborhoods, I would think that people would research this a little and see a problem and raise a red flag," soil chemist Murray McBride told the Associated Press. He questioned the researchers' decision to conduct the study in a poorer neighborhood and not to disclose disputed safety of sludge.
The Senate is investigating the safety of sludge and the ethics of the experiment, and the NAACP is likening it to the Tuskeegee experiments. That might be slightly overstating the case, but these researchers were sadly, but not surprisingly, strategic in how they went about choosing their subjects and supplying them with information. Or not supplying them with information.
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Environmental racism is nothing new. It is truly disgusting that they not only put poison in their backyard, but misleading them about the risks.
Where is Erin Brockovich when you need her?
so sad. i hate those researchers. they suck. that's my immediate reaction to this story.
On the surface, this does look awful. Looking at it from a researcher's viewpoint though, I have to ask if this were the initial plan (which just wouldn't fly by the IRB that they presumably have) or if they couldn't find volunteers elsewhere. Lead and low income housing are closely tied so if their goal was to place these poop pellets where there was indeed lead, they really don't have that many options. They'd likely need controls which would be lead-free housing.
I want to pass judgment but I have to read the paper first and testing that was done prior to determine the safety of these things.
FYI ladies - lead is found in homes across classes. The difference is that wealthier homes have access to better solutions - they can move, they can get lead abatement, they can buy more expensive toys that have been tested for lead.
One of the first rules of research is to adequately advise your subjects of risks associated with participation. My problem is not the testing - they have to do the research. The non-disclosure of the risks is the sleazy part.
The writer of study admits participants were not informed that there were "safety disputes and health complaints over the sludge." However, he maintains that they were under no obligation to disclose.
I saw a Law and Order about this….yes; it's my 'go to' for the worldwide knowledge!
I worked in a pediatric pulmonology unit at a teaching hospital in a particularly crappy mid-western city with loads of unemployment. This was in 03 so it's not the recession that's the cause. There is a big class divide. Basically, upper middle class, a small and shrinking middle class, and people who would be working class if there were jobs for them. This unit saw people from all over the region. ALL the kids with Pb issues and a huge proportion of the kids with asthma were from the city and the neighboring towns with lots of unemployment. There's a lot of mold, radon and other issues going on as well.
The children who didn't come from these areas with toxic housing were far fewer. Lots of preemies and multiples. The other 5% probably were CF patients which is an incredibly devastating disease by the way. There was a family there and ALL their kids have it.
Daria what is CF?
Lauren, you are a gift. The issues you cite and your incisive and amusing analysis are manna. Continue, my sister. Your contributions are immeasurable.
i was so upset when i read this story in the newspaper…
Not disclosing the health risks seems awfully familiar in a long line of experimenting on people, of all races, in the U.S. Look at the deliberate exposure of soldiers to radioactive fallout or the CIA's MKULTRA program that tested LSD on unwitting test subjects.
ChicNoir, CF is cystic fibrosis. It's genetic. Generally found within the first 3 or 4 years of a child's life. I think the life expectancy is in the late teens though some people have lived to be in their 30s. It requires a lot of care and they spend quite a bit of time having the mucus in their lungs cleared out.