Oct. 7, 2005
 
Coal River Mountain Watch Says Manchin Broke Promise on Health Concerns at Marsh Fork Elementary; CRMW Slams Manchin’s Review of Alleged Problems
 
By HNN Staff
 
Charleston, WV (HNN) – A citizens’ group and concerned parents of the children at Marsh Fork Elementary expressed disappointment Thursday, Oct. 6, 2005 in Gov. Joe Manchin’s decision revealed on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2005 to drop his investigation of health concerns at the school. The school has gained attention over the summer as residents protested Massey Energy’s coal operations next door.
 
Since May 2005, local residents and parents of the children at Marsh Fork have expressed particular concern over air quality, drinking water quality, and risk of exposure to toxic chemicals in and around the school. According to documentation from the Department of Education, no tests for coal dust or other hazardous airborne materials have been conducted. It also appears that no water quality or soil toxicity tests have been conducted on the school grounds. To date, no new health survey of children who attend the school or residents of the surrounding community has been initiated, the citizens’ group says.
 
“Carte Goodwin, on behalf of the Governor, insists that the indoor air quality at the school was tested and meets all applicable regulations, yet there are no applicable indoor air quality regulations,” said Bo Webb of Coal River Mountain Watch (CRMW). “Mr. Goodwin also states that an indoor air quality test was conducted, but from what we can tell no test for coal dust or hazardous chemicals has been done. If you're not testing for coal dust or other hazardous airborne chemicals in the air then you definitely won't find them. Until that test has been conducted, we cannot know if the children or the surrounding community are safe,” says Webb.
 
“The Governor told me he cared about these children,” says Ed Wiley, whose granddaughter attends the school. “Now the Department of Education won’t test for coal dust or chemicals, and the Department of Health and Human Services refused to conduct a health survey. Why would the Governor do us so wrong?” Wiley launched a sit-in protest at the Capitol on July 5, 2005, prompting the investigation.
 
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children represent the largest subgroup of the population susceptible to the effects of air pollution. Coal River Mountain Watch, concerned about the school's proximity to a potential fugitive dust problem, is calling for a more detailed and thorough testing program.
 
“We don't take issue with the test results,” said Vernon Haltom of CRMW. “We take issue with the fact that nothing of significant concern was tested for. If the governor lacks the courage to look for a problem, he won't find one."
 
The group says the struggle to ensure the health and safety of the children of Marsh Fork Elementary and the surrounding community is far from over.
 
"We will not back down on this issue, we will not turn our backs on those children. We hope the Governor will do the right thing and implement an actual investigation, testing the air for coal dust and hazardous materials, testing the toxicity levels of both the soil on the school grounds and the water provided for children to drink, before closing the door on the childrens’ health and future" said Hillary Hosta and organizer with the Coalfield Sustainability Project.