That spill, considered one of the largest environmental disasters in U.S. history, destroyed homes, damaged property, sickened residents, and left a deep scar on the county’s public image. Now that toxic material recovered from the river is shipping to the poor and predominantly black county in Alabama in epic speed.

TVA originally estimated that it would send about 85 railcar loads of coal ash per day from Kingston to Alabama. But now that number has increased to 110 railcar loads per day. The increase is credited to an increase in dredging operations at the Emory River. TVA officials say they hope to have the Emory clear of visible coal ash by spring 2010.

Once the Emory is cleared, however, the work will not be completed. Removing the remaining coal ash will take another two years or so. Even with a visibly clean palate, experts still have concerns about what the naked eye cannot see, such as the dangerous toxins from coal ash that can leach into the soil and ground water. Some of those toxins found in coal ash have been linked to serious health concerns such as cancer, liver damage and neurological complications. And may residents who lived in the area are already suffering ill effects from the spill.

Source: News Channel 5

SOURCE: Coal Ash Spill › TVA transports recovered coal ash to Alabama landfill at epic speed