[CPEO-MEF] Number of toxic waste victims continues to rise

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Philippines
Number of toxic waste victims continues to rise
Posted:2:26 AM (Manila Time) | Dec. 05, 2002
By Gerald G. Lacuarta
Inquirer News Service

THE NUMBER of victims of toxic waste contamination in the former US
military bases at Clark Field and Subic Bay has risen to 2,457 as of
last count, illustrating the impact of the "toxic legacy" left behind by
the United States 10 years ago.

Of the total number, 225 victims at Clark in Pampanga and 816 at Subic
in Zambales have since died of ailments caused by exposure to hazardous
materials left in the water, soil and buildings at the former bases.
These ailments include various forms of cancer, nervous and reproductive
systems disorders, kidney problems, miscarriages and birth defects.

"It has been 10 years since we learned about the toxic contamination,
yet there has been no comprehensive assessment made of the extent of the
danger," said Nher Sagun, international program coordinator of Arc
Ecology.

At least 36 victims of the toxic waste contamination have brought their
fight to clean up the bases to the United States, suing the US Navy and
Air Force before a district court in California to compel the two
military branches to conduct environmental assessments on the two sites.

This article can be viewed at:
http://www.inq7.net/nat/2002/dec/05/text/nat_10-1-p.htm

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