Nitro city council discusses dioxin: School board official says members plan to meet with state on issue

FOR THE DAILY MAIL

Possible dioxin contamination in Nitro schools was the topic ofdiscussion during the city council meeting.

Charles Wilson, the assistant for facilities and operations forKanawha County Schools, addressed the issue of dioxin in Nitro HighSchool and Nitro Elementary at council's Tuesday meeting.

Wilson told the council the school system had done testing in bothschools and found the presence of dioxin. He said members of theschool board will meet with the West Virginia Department ofEnvironmental protection and the West Virginia Health Department onThursday.

"We will learn more about the scope of the problem then," saidWilson.

Wilson added the board will test all schools within a three-mileradius of the area where the dioxin seems to be concentrated.

"St. Albans and Cross Lanes could be tested as well," said Wilson.

When asked if test results could potentially set back the plannedstart date for classes in the area, Wilson replied that it was apossibility, but no decision would be made until the board hears fromthe DEP and the health department.

"The children's safety is our No. 1 concern," said Wilson.

Council learned the Nitro Community Center, located in a formerschool building, also has dioxin.

And council heard from attorney David Carriger, who isrepresenting some city residents in a potential class action suitagainst the parties responsible for the dioxin contamination.

"We've tested homes in the city and found very high levels ofdioxin," said Carriger, a lawyer for the Stuart Calwell law firm.

Carriger added that dioxin could have built up over decades andthat interpreting acceptable levels could be difficult because mostDEP and EPA standards are based on the contamination of ground soil.

He also said the cost of testing is very high and his firm wouldlike to shift that cost to those responsible.

"I don't want to cause a panic, but dioxin is very dangerous,"said Carriger, "The problem is city-wide."

According to Carriger the dioxin is a waste product of thechemical Agent Orange made in the area by the Monsanto Corporationfrom the 1930s through the 1970s.

Carriger added that testing can trace a particular dioxin back toits manufacturer.

"It is like a fingerprint - no two chemical make-ups are thesame."

Carriger said further testing is in the works and it will takemore time to determine the medical and environmental implications thedioxin has had on the city.

Mayor Rusty Casto and other council members said they plan toattend Thursday's meeting.