The Dangers of Ammonium Nitrate: Mining Communities Speak Out Against Mountaintop Removal and Call for Action from the Obama Administration
During a visit to Central Appalachia, GRITtv witnessed the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing and the West, Texas fire. Although these events seemed distant and unrelated to the region, explosions were a frequent occurrence. Vernon Haltom, who works with Coal Mountain River Watch, led us on a tour of the affected areas. He estimated that over a million acres of land and tens of thousands of streams have been impacted by the practice of mountain top removal. Especially which involves mining coal from just below the surface. This destructive method has also been used by coal companies in Central Appalachia. That’s since the late 1970s, resulting in the depletion of the area’s valuable underground coal reserves.
Over the years, over twenty studies that have undergone peer review. For they have expressed concerns about the use of ammonium nitrate, benzene, and silica. Combined in linking them to various health issues. These also include but are not limited to low birth weights and higher mortality rates. Especially in regions known for mining, such as Virginia, West Virginia, and also Kentucky.
The Nation’s comprehensive report covers the full story.
Credit for the photo source goes to GRITtv.
The massive explosion that devastated most of the town of West, Texas on April 17 has been attributed to the presence of large amounts of ammonium nitrate, according to investigators.
Photo Source Credit: GRITtv.
