Dragon Products LLC, a Thomaston cement production company, will pay a $77,470 fine for violations of the federal Clean Air Act and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
MSDS sheet for Portland Cement: (By far the most informative I have found regarding the cumulative health effects on humans.) http://www.monarchcement.com/Assets/PDFs/Portland%20MSDS.pdf
HOW CEMENT IS MADE: http://www.madehow.com/Volume-1/Concrete.html (Although the process indeed is interesting, the adverse effects from the process itself, the unearthing of raw materials, negative effects on local residential, businesses, and human health topics are the primary subject matters discussed within this site.)
See Dragon's Toxic Pollutant Score Card at: (Note that the below link is the TRI rating for Dragon out of ALL reporting USA facilities.
Then note that the next link is the TRI rating for Dragon JUST in the State of Maine v. other companies.
Calcium Oxide MSDS: This material comes from the processing of the Raw Material and is extremely caustic. It is tracked off of Dragon Property by trucks and machinery, and then becomes wind blown all over according to a statement from a DEP Official who I spoke to on Friday 5-23-08.
Wikipedia.org Definition of and Environmental Impacts from Cement Manufacturing
New York Times News Article- "Cement Industry Is at Center of Climate Change Debate"
"Cement Manufacture and The Environment" "State of the Debate" A Scientific Explanation of the Associated Problems and Chemistry:
Health and Safety Issues Relating to the Use of Cement:
**Testimony from the Natural Resources Council of Maine; A very detailed testimonial regarding the "off-site" contamination concerns:
*Please note this specific portion of text from this article:
"However, Dragon’s proposal simply to let leachate seep into the uncovered part of the pile will not stop migration of leachate off-site, and DEP’s apparent failure to recommend another strategy is concerning." And, this next portion which is still (even after covering the CKD pile) extremely likely to continue to present off-site contamination: "CKD is not just ordinary dust; it is highly alkaline and contains many other contaminants . The alkaline nature alone greatly increases its potential to be an irritant and to cause damage to the environment." AND "prevent leachate from the CKD pile from continuing to migrate off the site, such as pumping leachate out of the CKD pile and the quarry it is in so that leachate remains below the level of the surrounding groundwater." It is extremely important to note that the CKD is seated DEEP 100+/- feet in an old, unlined quarry bed, which will allow any ground water to percolate through the underground pathways (regardless of it's soil cover) thus allowing for "off-site" transport of the contaminates contained in the Cement Kiln Dust, quite possibly to residential well water sources. It is also noted heavy rains, melting snow, and the fact that the area behind and surrounding Dragon consists mostly of marshlands, tidal estuaries, which support a usually high water table naturally, therefore would consistantly allow passage of water through the massive amount (in thousands of tons) of CKD well below the "leachate runoff" at the ground level seen in photos. It is what we don't see that is a major problem and apparently has been ignored.
The Portland Phoenix claims after "incinerators" Dragon is the next biggest mercury contributor:
The Dangers of Aluminum Toxicity: I consider this specific element to be of major concern given that Dragon's CKD has tested quite high for aluminum, and it was found in high test numbers at my residence as well. More testing is warranted.
Low Level Mercury "Safe" (EPA 24 hour blood level):
Note: Hair may be a better test for long term mercury exposure, but regardless of which test it is still a neurotoxin which causes a wide array of health problems such as "Speech Delay" in children, and other developmental disorders.
Hair Testing Methods for Detecting Toxic levels of Mercury "with or without a cooperative doctor":
Mercury Poisoning:
Lead Poisoning:
Hexavalent Chromium Toxicity and related documentation:
Dragon uses TONS of Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil Blend which is bad for the environment. Please see definition, and more here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ANFO Also see "Documents" section for Dragons usage and amounts of these dangerous explosives.
Nitrates are toxic to fish and migrate by water pathways:
Defining Ph of Water (Note that Dragon water test results have frequently indicated the Ph of ground water on their property in excess of 12.5 which is considered to be Hazardous Waste) Also, it is logical to conclude the contaminants would not be confined merely to Dragon's property, and it is probable that the contaminants are flowing via Aquifer channels in unknown directions possibly entering private well water sources. More studies are required there in order to protect human health.
EPA Drinking Water Standards, Contaminant Levels and Exposure Guidelines: (This is a great source for information regarding the safety of our drinking water.)
Please see the Town of Thomaston's Land Use Ordinance:
Water Quality Topics:
CDC Report-Cement Dust Exposure:
Cement Kiln Dust EPA Facts and Information:
*Note- This is extremely extensive but very worth reading and contains just about everything on Cement Kiln Dust which the EPA knew as of 1998. Health information is included in this documentation.
Canada knows what cement pollution is:
Dragon Cement/EPA Facility Toxics Release Report:
Article on Toxic Trespass:
Complete Overview of Cement Manufacturing:
Neighbors for a Safe Dragon original website: Please note that some of the older links may not be working properly, however, we are working on resolving those issues. Thanks.
Neighbors for a Safe Dragon Index Archive:
Fairly newer working link to NSD:
Old letter from NSD requesting Dragon clean up it's act:
http://www.earthjustice.org/library/references/dragon_letter.pdf It is important to note that there are still serious concerns today even though DEP and BEP action has resulted in some enforcement of environmental laws. Such concerns include the enormous amounts of blasting agents, the blasting vibrations and likely damage to homes and businesses from exceedances, the CKD which remains deep (+/-100 feet) in an old unlined quarry bed, the clinker pile, and of course the emissions from the huge amounts of fossil fuels, and contaminated soils or other substances some of which remain unknown to us today, even after many requests for such documents. All still remain a threat to the ground water, Aquifers, and subsequently any well water users near the plant, or anywhere the Aquifers may transport contaminants from Dragon's property.
Website for Penobscot Bay and those who care for the waters of the Maine Coast:
It is appropriate to thank Ron Huber, who created, ran, archives material, was responsible for maintaining NSD's website and in fact created it for the benefit of this Mid-Coast Maine Community. A special thanks is in order, and his site is well worth a visit.
Aerial Photo Dragon Cement, Surrounding Area, by US Geological Survey 1996:
*Please note that the terrain has since been significantly altered due to Dragon's surface mining in this fairly well populated area.
Also note the water filled quarries in the NNE direction which extend for several miles. The degradation of land here is quite unbelievable, and logically speaking, would cause instability in the Earth's Crust. The consequences from these activities can't possibly be measured. Who really knows what would occur should a moderate, or major earthquake strike this Mid-Coast area? I would suspect the 100+ feet deep "cuts" made by man's quarry activity in the crust would allow for far more serious devastation if an earthquake of significant magnitude did occur. Has anyone ever placed any theoretical value on the significant impact the mining industry has on our planet as a whole? Picture this, Take every mine, surface and quarrying, gravel pits, underground (coal, metals), oil drilling, natural gas (voids), etc., around the globe collectively and then put them all in one place. Then calculate the actual surface of the Earth that has been blasted/disturbed. What would the picture look like then? I would estimate a hole that is about the size of the United States +or- a few hundred miles. Now, to put it plain and simple, it is just not good to be blowing up our Planet, period. I imagine that human activity has reduced the existence of our planet by hundreds of thousands of years if not millions, so what happens next? Keep on blowing it up, sucking all the oil out of it and I guess we'll see.
Note: More links will be added as soon as possible. Thanks for your patience.