The Northwest Current recently released an unscientific study revealing that more than 130 people from the local area have been diagnosed with a chronic disease. The study links these diseases, many of them rare, to the arsenic and other chemical contaminants left behind by old military munitions, which were tested in the area after AU leased the Army Corps of Engineers land for weapons testing during World War I.
This just goes to show that when history happens (literally) in your own backyard, burying the issue, or in this case, the chemicals, is not enough to keep problems from resurfacing. For instance, after the Army Corps of Engineers finished cleaning up AU's intramural field, the chemical agent lewisite was found on Lot 18, behind the Public Safety Building, which is currently being excavated by the Army Corps.
Although the Current's survey was unscientific and there has been no conclusive evidence from studies linking, for certain, local illnesses to the munitions, so many rare diseases in one area should not simply be dismissed as coincidence. This certainly warrants further investigation by objective parties. Most importantly, local residents deserve to know the truth when it comes to what is making them sick. The alarming number of cases does raise concern in a don't drink the water kind of way.
Also, because a link has not been found these local residents with diseases have not been compensated for medical expenses. Regardless of the cause, these afflicted deserve help. Perhaps the AU community could get involved and raise funds or volunteer time to help those who may be suffering the aftereffects of these chemical weapons.
The Spring Valley area, along with Catholic University, the University of the District of Columbia and the Washington Naval Yard, have all been under investigation for buried chemical munitions that, according to the Current, may be linked to the strange illnesses cropping up throughout the area. In fact, D.C. sits at No. 10 on a list of sites nationwide with potentially dangerous buried chemical munitions. With the information out there, it seems reasonable for more action and more investigations should be taken, whether by the government or a private, uninvolved party. If the residents of Spring Valley have been afflicted with disease because of the weapons testing they deserve honesty and help. If not, AU students and others can still help the many ill in the area.
