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Why clean up behind ourselves?

That might seem like a rhetorical question, but it deserves a serious answer.  Here are two:

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1. A reporter who covered Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans recounted the following story: "I was standing thigh-deep in polluted flood water, interviewing a survivor outside the stadium. As a stray dog paddled past us, it took a sip from the fetid water.  A few moments later it went into spasms and died, right there in front of us."  

 

This story is an object lesson in why we need to clean up our properties BEFORE a flood hits, and why abandoned properties must be cleaned of toxics ASAP.  Think of all the toxic substances in a typical garage that nobody should drink or get on their skin.

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2.  Natural vegetation absorbs storm energy and protects urban areas from the direct impacts of hurricanes and floods. Most trees grow better when the concrete is cleared away and clean topsoil is present.

Polluted Water
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Toxins and pollution sources threatening our rivers, bays, oceans, aquifers, and our drinking water

Asbestos

Chrysotile Asbestos (White Asbestos)

Amosite (Brown Asbestos)

Crocidolite (Blue Asbestos)

Anthophyllite

Tremolite

Actinolite

Chromated copper arsenate (CCA)

Phthalates

Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs)

Lead

Mercury

Formaldehyde

Heavy Metals

Insulation Fibers

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

Perfluorinated compounds

Fiberglass

Wallpaper glues

Short-Chain Chlorinated Paraffins (SCCPs)

Polyvinyl chloride

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Wood treatments

Chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSPE)

Cadmium

Chlorobenzene

Volatile organic compounds

Silica

Wall foam

Oil

Lubricants

Halogenated flame retardants

Toxic electronic waste

Chloroprene (CR)

Chromium-6/Hexavalent chromium

Sealants

Paints

Polishes

Misc. Plastics

Solvants

Cleaners

Dilsocyanates

Alkylphenol

Bisphenol A 

Utility connections

Electronic components

Gas tanks

Underground storage structures

Paints

Sealants

Solvants

Cleaners

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Lack of planning, vision and foresight

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