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NARR: Since 2003, Sustainable South Bronx, a non-profit organization,
has conduced six toxic tours. Their first stop is usually NYOFCO or
the New York Organic Fertilizer Company which burns sludge and waste
to turn it into fertilizer pellets. It's a noble task except for the
fact that the process raises a huge stink---literally. Martha
Rodriguez, outreach co-ordinator, Sustainable South Bronx says that
the factory is also responsible for the high asthma rate in the
neighborhood.
TAPE 1: MARTHA RODRIGUEZ (CHILDREN HAVE ASTHMA)
They let out this horrible smell, especially during the summer which
give people in this neighborhood... the bronx has the highest rate of
asthma... causes asthma. There's a school surrounding, 30 percent of
its children have asthma. (15)
NARR: The tours can last between an hour and half to two hours. Stops
include the two power plants, contaminated industrial parks and the
Hunts Point co-operative market which draws over 11,000 trucks every
day. The highlight is a look at a few of the 30 waste transfer
stations that dot the area. Martha Rodriguez says the idea is to let
people get a real close look.
TAPE 2: MARTHA RODRIGUEZ (THAT'S OUR GOAL)
You see it, you smell it and you look at it. Sometimes that does
makes a difference. (10)
NARR: Almost anyone can call up the organization and schedule a
tour for free. But not many community residents have been on the
thour. Damon Coleman, a South Bronx resident has faced breathing
problems since he moved to the area eight years ago.
TAPE 3: DAMON COLEMAN (IN MY LIFE)
It smells terrible and you may experience shortness of breath...
till you get used to it. Your lungs, I guess, adapt. Initially,
when I came here I used to have shortness of breath, at night
especially in the summer time, and I never had that before in my
life. (13)
NARR: Yet Coleman never took the toxic tour because he didn't know
about it. The tours are infrequent and not very well-publicized.
And not everyone agrees that the tour is helps the neighborhood.
Nino DeSimone, environmental programs co-ordinator with a local
community organization called The Point, says a label like toxic tour
perpetuate a
stereotype about the Bronx and is not educational either.
TAPE 5: NINO DESIMONE (NEGATIVE VIEW OF THE AREA)
Conversations about these toxic tour are they going to remedy common problems or is it just political posturing by an organization to secure funding? (10)
NARR: Sustainable South Bronx says its only pointing out what
already exists. Information is the only way to empower the
community's residents emphasizes Martha Rodriguez.
TAPE 6: MARTHA RODRIGUEZ (PEOPLE TO MAKE A CHANGE)
I have lived in this neighborhood all my life myself and I never
knew the things that was going on. I think that's the best part of
doing the toxic tour is that you inspire people to make a change.
(11)
NARR: The toxic tour started with honorable intentions but poor
publicity has derailed it. Yet residents say that tour can make a
difference and they would like to take it---but only when they are
told about it.
Priya Ganapati for Columbia Radio News