Riverbank State Park & Other Harlem, NY Environmental Problems Notes

Marketing language.  In the early 1990's the City of New York put a the Riverbank State Park park where folks come to exercise on top of an open sewer.  I went to many community board meetings and bought up the problems of the open North River Waste Water Treatmet Plant sewer. At one of the meetings about the health concerns from exercising on top of an open sewer a woman responded, 'yes, my building is full of cancer.'  Another woman who was chairing the meeting said 'yeah, I know, my building is full of cancer too but this meeting is about Coke or Pepsi in the park.'

Harlem is no longer majority Black so I keep posting this information in the hopes that the people who do live there will take into consideration the need to clean up the areas environment. The initial research on the subject of the sewers is posted on this blog. 

Harlem's Sewer Problem, Did It Get Any Better? 

Here's some of the other problems or potential problems I presented and updated awhile back for the current residents of Harlem to consider and fix.

Earthquake Dangers

Earthquake Fault Lines: Running down 125th Street through some of Harlem’s mass transit routes, including an elevated subway, is an earthquake fault line. Many old buildings need to be fortified or torn down and rebuilt using the 3D printing technique known as "contour crafting."

In 2003 it gave us a reminder of its presence. It’s been reported that there is also a fault line under 145th Street too. 

Most of the buildings on the streets of Harlem are brick or stone and are not strong enough to withstand a major earthquake.  Given Harlem’s population density and mass transit system, there needs to be a well known and understood civic plan for addressing a large earthquake with special attention paid to an earthquake under the ocean that could produce a tidal wave that would run up the Hudson and East Rivers and flood the valley portion of Harlem. 

The New York City Area Consortium For Earthquake Loss Mitigation has detailed maps and information.  For example, their map of soil strength shows that where the mall is about to be built is on soft soil, which is most vulnerable during an earthquake.  When you click on the map, notice how much of Harlem is soft soils.  Most of the firehouses are located in masonry buildings.  During a 5.0 or greater earthquake, this is a problem.

On Saturday, October 27, 2001 at 6:16 am et the New York Daily News online reported that a minor earthquake shook New York. 

"A magnitude-2.6 earthquake hit under Manhattan around 1:42 a.m., said Dr. John Ebel, director of the Weston Observatory at Boston College, which monitors seismic activity in the Northeast. "That's more than a tremor. That's a small earthquake,"  Ebel said.

"The last significant natural seismic event to strike the city was a magnitude-2.4 earthquake on Jan. 17."  That's two in the year that had the additional vibration pressure of the falling of the World Trade Center.

What needs to be done: Use 3D printing in the contour crafting technique hemp plastic exteriors to hold buildings together and make them waterproof in case of...

Flood Dangers

Harlem, Below Sea Level,  At The Beginning Of Global Warming:

The typography reveals that much of Harlem is located below sea level.  On the west side, you can drive your car right into the river if you want. Both ends of 125th Street could become flooded and the area’s population located in central Harlem could be under water in a short amount of time. Scientists have already warned about a massive tidal wave that could come from the falling of rocks from the Canry Island Volcano.  It could take out most of the east coast.  

Since the Wall Street and Mid-Town areas are closer to the ocean, they may flood first, which, as we learned during the falling of the WTC, would mean few if any resources available for Harlem residents other than themselves.

Global Warming is already anticipated to reclaim coastal cities so action must be taken now to secure these areas.  Like in Holland, dikes or dams need to be built to help keep the ocean in the ocean and the land on the land. The best reference book I read on the subject is THE RISING TIDE:  GLOBAL WARMING AND WORLD SEA LEVELS by Lynne T. Edgertorn, Natural Resources Defense Council.

Rodent Disease Transmission

Rodent and Roach Transmission Of Disease: 

History is full of examples of rodent transmitted diseases taking out a large portion of a population, i.e. bubonic plague.  The millions of rats in Harlem and the South Bronx could infect their populations with a large array of diseases, beginning with Hanta Virus.  Information needs to be shared on both the risk and solutions available.  The CDC and NIH can contribute the materials needed to control the rodent population.

It has been reported that roaches contribute to asthma. 

As we learned from the West Nile Virus, rodent transmission is not the only concern.  We need to be aware of what animals we are interacting with and how to best interact with them.

What needs to be done. Fortify our bodies through nutrition, attention to symptoms and of course medical marijuana to reduce the stress.  Research ways to boost our immune systems to life in this, the nuclear age of mutant virus, et. al.  We can overcome many illnesses without toxic vaccines, with clean environmental standards to minimize the impact of......

Respiratory Problems

Air Pollution And The Link To Respiratory Problems Is Obvious. 

Clean air is a remote concept in Harlem, and that needs to change.  Though only a few miles wide and six miles long, she is surrounded by heavily trafficked highways, has had tons of residual pesticides spread within her houses and parks, has been exposed to industrial dry cleaners leaking poisons into her soil, and has severe roach and rodent problems.  Toxic mold has been found in Harlem, which can also affect respiratory health. 

According to the South Bronx Clean Air Coalition, "Disparities are staggering: children who live in Harlem or Hunts Point are five times more likely to be hospitalized than children in upper-income neighborhoods, according to a Health Department study. Lincoln Hospital recorded 14,300 asthmatic visits in its emergency room last year."

The majority of Manhattan’s bus depots are in Harlem. Of course we can shift to a Tesla style energy system for transportation quickly.

I failed to get a solid answer on what’s coming out of those stacks on top of the sewer. 

In an area with high unemployment, jobs could be quickly created to clean up the environment and help the people get and stay healthy.  For example, it is cheaper to clean up the environment than it is to treat the many sick people who have environmentally induced cancers, respiratory problems, etc.

Harlem's Sewer Problem - Did It Get Any Better?

 Photos Taken In 1998 
Open Sewer Windows Under Riverbank State Park.

Rev. Ike said the best thing one can do for the poor is not be one of them.  When I realized in 1998 that Harlem's poverty pimps were not going to do anything to help Harlem's environmental problems, were committed to keeping computers out of Harlem, and satisfied with the status quo regarding AIDS and crack and other empowerment issues, I left.  It is an unnecessary health risk to be surrounded by 5 open sewers.  Anything could be in that............


Common sense says if you are smelling the sewer, you're breathing it. Airborne particles find their way into people's bodies.  The illusion that hospital waste is treated differently is a dangerous flaw.  Sick people from all over the world come to New York and use the sewers before they check into the hospital.

The 5 Open Sewers Surrounding Harlem do more than stink in the summer time. North River, Wards Island, Tallmans, Hunts Point and Bowery Bay Water Pollution Control Plants are releasing toxins into the already polluted environment. Over the last century NYC is the recipient of transportation, pest control, heating/cooling, etc. toxins, settled into walls, fabrics and streets.  Ooops, I forgot to add the dust from the World Trade Center.  Asbestos does not wash out.

The two most obvious sewers, North River (135th and Hudson River, 10027) and Wards Island (Wards Island, NYC 10035) Water Pollution Control Plants (Sewage Treatment Plants) are on the west side of Harlem and in the river off of the east side respectively.

Across the bay are the other three.

The year after North River was built there was a radical rise in the infant mortality rate. Yet when I was there in the 80's and 90's the discussion was limited to odor and flow, which haven’t killed anybody.  It's the accompanying toxins that kill, not the smell.

When you connect the dots on the chart below you'll see when the North River plant was open and rises and falls in Harlem's infant mortality rates over the years and plant actions.

North River Plant and Infant Mortality Rates
in NYC and Harlem 1984-1993

Year	NYC	Harlem
1984 - Plant Construction	13.6	16.0
1985 - Plant built	13.4	23.3
1986	12.8	27.6
1987	13.1	20.9
1988	13.4	22.0
1989	13.3	23.4
1990	7.6	27.7
1991 - Primary Tanks Covered	11.4	19.2
1992	10.2	15.9
1993 - Crack in tank	10.2	25.

In great part due to the open windows at all ends of the North River, and open outdoor tanks at Wards Island, Harlem in particular and the metro NY area in general were breathing, daily, volatile organic compounds (VOC's -airborne living organisms) from these sewage tanks. If the tanks are not covered, folks still are.

Politics and common sense need to merge in Harlem.  Start with cleaning out the corruption. Put people over politics, like the real estate investors who want to make money at the expense of raising the infant mortality rate in Harlem.

Harlem's best park, Riverbank State Park, is located over the North River sewer plant and has people, among them children and seniors, exercising over an open sewer…not healthy.

The NYC EPA says “The roof of the building is the home of Riverbank State Park, a popular recreational facility with three swimming pools, an amphitheater, an athletic center, a skating rink, a restaurant and sports fields - and, of the two New York State park facilities in the City, the only one built on top of a water pollution control plant.”

The park's won many awards while placing Harlem residents in danger of toxic chemicals, methane gas and mutating germs.

1998 Carousel Shot In Riverbank State Park

There are germs in the sewer air. Environmentalists are being honored in Harlem who keep the conversation about odor and flow rather than toxins and germs and toxic chemicals coming off the sewers. 

Sewer System As A Source of Germ Disbursement: “The greatest danger…in breathing of sewer air is that of inhaling with it the living particles (bacilli, etc.) contained or developed in the excrement of diseased persons.” {Roger S. Tracy, Handbook Of Sanitary Information For Households, NY Appleton, 1895}

Sick people from all over the world come to New York City to benefit from her extraordinary medical system. Though hospital waste is handled separately from the general sewer system, during the time before sick people check into the hospital, and, if they remain in the city, after they leave, are using the general sewer facilities.

In this time of terrorism, toxic materials (both medical and chemical that could cause illness and death) can be dropped into the sewer system and a large portion of the population could be impacted days after the event.  Unnecessary risk.

Floating material could contain harmful elements and the results, devastating. This is because many, if not all of the NYC sewer plants, are not covered and in some cases could be easily contaminated from street or building levels without the culprit being noticed.

At North River, the large windows by the tanks are open. At Ward’s Island, the tanks are outside. Though we are encouraged to take comfort in the fact that chlorine kills 85-95% of the germs in the sewer, the more relevant question is what is in the other 5-15% that is strong enough to survive chlorine, food additives, genetically altered foods, human growth hormone, antibiotics, etc.

Secondary Tanks With No Covers Next To Open Windows Under Riverbank, 1998

 

  

Sludge Tank Below Riverbank State Park

 

Consider what happens when those strong germs and toxic chemicals get together in North River’s secondary and sludge tanks, with their steam wafting off to open windows. Also, the additional chlorine put into the environment via tap water and flushed into the river can have a seepage effect on the land it comes in contact with, further empowering mutating bacteria.

The water in North River’s secondary tanks frequently has steam coming off them, which lifts some germs and they become air borne. As you saw in the chart Harlem's infant morality rate in the year after the North River Plant went into operation was raised and by 1993 was 2.5 times higher than the rest of the City.

What needs to happen to correct the problem?

First, the sewer windows need to be covered or, like at Ward's Island where the open sewer tanks are outside, at least the tanks sealed, like what was in the original plans.

“The problem with covering and air treating the secondary tanks is one of expense … NYCDEP’s rough estimate for subjecting the secondary tanks in a similar odor control system as that for the primary tank is in excess of $100 million.” From “The Smell of Success? An assessment of Odor Control Measures at the North River Water Pollution Control Plant” (June, 1994)

Where are they shopping? Tiffany’s?  What about hemp plastic to cover the sewers?  What about growing hemp to aerate the soil and pull the excess CO2 out of the atmosphere? What about medical hemp to help with the areas intense asthma and other health problems? What about hemp to heal New York's economy to create a modern infrastructure system. (Read the HEMP FOR VICTORY series by Richard M. Davis to learn how - www.hempmuseum.us)

We need to honestly evaluate the situation at hand and bring forward better ideas on waste treatment. Johan Cruijff said "Every disadvantage carries with it an advantage." One of the things that Harlem taught me is the disadvantage is always of equal or greater value.

A project of fixing the environmental problems can use a NYC labor pool, featuring Harlem residents trained for the job. Community residents will be motivated to do a good job because they and their families are breathing the air.

Harlem has a master level engineer in her hero and former owner of the Langston Hughes House, Albert Davis.  I still think he won the election when he ran against Congressman Rangel in the 90's.  With President Obama getting zero votes in Harlem in the 2008 primary, I believe now more than ever that Albert won.

Second, regular testing of the sewer's contents and airborne materials need to be done and the results published. That sewer readings were not useable in determining the toxic levels in the air on 9/11 proves the worthlessness of the system at that time.  I'm open to news of improvements that are not published.

The people have a right to know what's in the air, water and land more than they need a say over "is Coke or Pepsi going to get the vending contract for the park on top of the sewer."

Please, tell New York's elected and appointed officials to stop leaving New Yorkers in danger of environmental hazards like when the WTC fell, cover all the open sewers, and not just the ones around Harlem.

Any additional insight you post here is appreciated.

Oh Happy Day!!! Caroline Kennedy as the senator from New York.

I left NY almost 11 years ago, and this is the first shred of hope I have for divine restoration of New York state. New York needs a senator who will fight for her and Caroline Kennedy has the power and wisdom to do it.

I've been advocating for years the need to deal with World Trade Center Illness. Since I don't live in New York, Senator Clinton does not respond to me. I believe Kennedy will take on that issue and win the necessary funding and other support required to solve the problem, unlike the senator she is replacing who is so ineffective on the issue that the victims had to march on Washington last year for support.

When the EPA said the air and water were safe on 9/13/01, the current senators were silent. There were no demands to see the air quality reports from the sewers or the city's EPA numbers, which would have shown high toxic levels from the exploded WTC 1, 2 & 7; enough to have ordered an evacuation, not a lock down of the city. Instead of the senators speaking out immediately, the city was left to the mercy of the mayor's management. We are learning how that turned out as body parts are being found on the site as recently as last year.

According to Kennedy's cousin, Robert Kennedy Jr's Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) report, THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF THE WORLD TRADE CENTER ATTACKS - A PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT "At least 10,000 New Yorkers have suffered short-term health ailments from Trade Center generated air contaminants." Reports are that the fall out from those buildings was as toxic as drain cleaner. "World Trade Center Cough" and "World Trade Center Illness" are medical phrases.

The WTC buildings held, as reported by the NRDC, 1.2 million tons of building materials. This was mixed with thousands of gallons of jet fuel containing benzene and other toxic chemicals. Included in the buildings contents were 300-400 tons of asbestos, 424,000 tons of concrete, an estimated 50,000 personal computers with 4 pounds of lead per computer or 200,000 pounds of lead just from the pc's, glass, PCB's, mercury from the light bulbs and computers, 130,000 gallons of transformer oil, and Lord knows what else. NRDC calls the 9/11 disaster a "pollution event."

If Kennedy had been senator then, I assume the subject would have come up over the family holiday dinner.

When she becomes senator, the environment in New York will finally get real care. She has the connections to raise the funds needed to help people in the tri-state area deal with the economic and health issues this disease presents.

I've added to my prayer list that Gov. David Patterson do the right thing and give the people of the great state of New York a champion senator they deserve. With the upcoming World Trade Center Illness crisis (the dust was not limited to below 14th Street as reported) it is best to have a well connected, independent champion in the senate.

This change is gonna be great, Lord willing.

Why Isn't Gov. David Patterson Screaming About 9/11?

Maybe I'm not suppose to understand.

Can somebody please explain to me why the new governor of New York, David Patterson, is not screaming and demanding an immediate, vetted investigation into what really happened on 9/11/01. He has inherited a state with a huge wound and little to no resources to heal it.

There are many webeos on the subject of 9/11 Truth, i.e. Loose Change, a great 9/11 starter piece. (Not the last edited one, the Second Edition)






The military was on stand down on 9/11. Dr. Steven E. Jones reports thermite was found at the WTC site. Many witnesses reported hearing explosions. The main beneficiary of the crime is the Bush Administration, who used the event as a motivation to their march to war.

Governor Patterson's first responsibility should be to the people of New York, unlike that of the federal government.

Thanks Keith Olberman and the Countdown crew for your great and courageous coverage, like the piece on:

Rep. Darrell Issa 'Worst Person' for Refusing 9/11 Sick Aid





New Yorkers are suffering and dying from World Trade Center Illness, not just the first responders either. Though there have been studies and folks registered, no help is available when disease manifest. As witnessed by body parts still being found at the site, the city was never cleaned of the exploded World Trade Centers 1, 2 & 7.

Rather than take a proactive strategy of preventative medicine, the government chose, despite repeated warnings, to study the problem.

Governor Patterson needs to lead the fight to help New Yorkers, and the dust did not stop at 14th Street, deal with the unspoken health crisis people are experiencing.

The governor needs to demand unconditional health care to all exposed.

Pay for the medical bill with complete legalization of hemp in New York. Apply a 20% recreational hemp tax. It's a perfect place for a ground zero fight of states vs. federal rights.

For more information on hemp visit the USA Hemp Museum, http://www.hempmuseum.org/.

WE ARE OVERCOMING NOW