Sociology

In the year 1894 William Love started to build a canal in the Niagara Falls (New York State) area. However, the project had to be abandoned mid way due to the financial depression. The ground, where the canal was to be constructed, was left with a large hole in it. In 1942 the plot was purchased by Hooker Chemical and Plastics and they used the incomplete canal to dispose off toxic wastes. Till about 1953 the company kept on dumping hazardous chemicals into the canal. The amount of the chemicals was estimated to be about 352 million pounds. No steps were taken to ensure proper disposal of the wastes, instead they were simply dumped into the hole and covered with a cap. The land was later acquired by the Niagara Falls Board of Education and an elementary school was constructed there, while the rest of the land was sold to real estate developers. Over the years the waste had started to leak through the basements, contaminated water pipes and polluted the soil and air. In 1970s people in the area started to complain about odd odors and health problems. An investigation was then initiated to look into the issue. It revealed that the place was really contaminated so the people were relocated the school and the canal site had to be closed down.

Ethical issues
It was estimated that the canal had been dumped with about 130 pounds of dioxin. A three ounce of dioxin can kill a one million population so the vicious damage caused by 130 pounds can be calculated to be death of about a 390 million people. The health hazards faced by residents of the area, due to their constant exposure to the hazardous chemicals, are severe in some cases. The genes of a woman had mutated such that all her children and their generations to come shall all be genetically blind. Other people who had come in contact with these deadly chemicals had suffered various disabilities like respiratory and hearing problems, liver abnormalities, rectal bleeding, and many such health ailments. 1. The greater evils which have been caused are yet to be unraveled and much feared. Many have argued that business institutions need not be in tandem with the ethical norms laid by the society. 2 But when the consequences of a business process affect the general masses so seriously, then it is a highly unethical task. Many innocent lives have been jeopardized because of no fault of their own.

However an article which further investigates the case, speaks of the deed Hooker Chemical and Plastics had with The Niagara Falls Board of Education, which clearly stated the presence of these poisonous deadly wastes in the canal. It declared that the chemicals were capable of damaging property as well as cause injury to human life. This proves that the company had warned and disclosed the possible negative effect it may have on the inhabitance of that land. The company had also showed the school board the waste filled canals during the investigation, which took place before the land was purchased. In fact the article by Eric Zuesse mentions that Hooker had tried to stop the development in the area but he had to succumb to the pressure subjected by the local government.3 Does it release the company from its ethical responsibilities Perhaps no but it also shows negligence on part of the school board and the government. Developing the area for profitability in spite of complete knowledge of the probable consequences sheds very poor light on the superior authority. The monetary expenses in cleaning the dump are significantly high. The national fund superfund was created to clean the toxic wastes and have spent a high amount in the task but achieved very little from the effort.

Besides the pain caused to the inhabitants, the constants degradation of this land can not be excused either. With growing concerns about the environment, the inappropriate disposal of waste and toxic material is greatly unethical. Every organization must do their share to help make the environment healthier. Love canal has already started being re inhabited, however it is estimated that the toxic chemicals shall take a few hundred years to decompose. So it proves that negligence by the company has caused a severe damage to the surroundings which shall haunt it for at least few hundred years. 4

A researcher working on the Love canal case also disclosed details that shed light on the malpractices displayed by the government. There were accusations that the researchers or employees, who acted compassionately towards the residents of the infected area, were ill treated by the state government. Also the minimum percent, which proves that the disease is caused because of a chemical, is rather high. The researcher must submit a report which shows 95 certainty that the chemical is indeed the cause for the disease, to press legal charges against a company. Thereby it becomes difficult to take an action against people who have been unjust.

Conclusion
Steps should be taken to improve the policies structured on the above issue, so that guilty parties in similar cases may be easily punished. Proper compensation should be made to people who have suffered serious health ailments and disabilities. Also the corrupt elements in the government should be severely punished so that the bureaucracy cannot have a negative influence on people. Hooker Chemical and Plastics should also make a contribution to clear the waste. In spite of its agreement with the Board, every business entity is responsible to help conserve the atmosphere and should compensate for any negligence. It should also take positive environmental steps to help revive the surroundings to its natural balance. It can start a green program by planting trees in the vicinity of the effected area. The government should also make sure that the fund created is made active and that some advancement is made to remove the toxins.