Coal Ash Dump Linked to Cancer Problems at Nearby Prison: Report

Human rights advocates are raising concerns about an alarmingly high rate of cancer and other illnesses diagnosed among inmates at a Pennsylvania prison, suggesting that the health problems may be side effects of inhaling coal ash blown in from a nearby dump.  

In the new report, titled No Escape: Exposure to Toxic Coal Waste at State Correctional Institution Fayette (PDF), researchers the Abolitionist Law Center (ALC) and the Human Rights Coalition (HRC) found a high rate of cancer and other illnesses attributable to a coal ash dump directly adjacent to the State Correctional Institution (SCI) Fayette.

The study is the result of a year long investigation of inmate exposure, highlighting the high number of inmates reporting illness at the prison, including chronic sore throats, extreme throat swelling, shortness of breath, headaches, dizziness, vision problems, stomach pain, sores, cysts and tumors in the mouth, nose, throat and skin.

Eleven inmates died of cancer and another six were diagnosed with cancer between 2010 and 2013 alone. Many inmates were diagnosed with thyroid disorders after coming to the prison.

Prisoners reported black dust blowing in from the coal ash dump and settling onto the prison and its grounds.

Prison Built on Dump Site

Coal ash is a toxic byproduct of burning coal in power plants. A report released by the Physicians for Social Responsibility in 2010 revealed coal ash contains many carcinogenic components, including lead, arsenic and mercury, all which can cause severe health side effects.

The prison was built on part of the Coal Refuse Deposit Area owned by the Matt Canestrale Contracting company which operates the coal ash dump next to the prison. Before the company took over the dump, the land was a dumping ground for coal waste from one of the worlds largest coal processing plants.

Coal ash, also known as fly ash, has been dumped from two regional power plants at the Fayette County site for nearly 60 years.

“Surrounded by about 40 million tons of waste, two coal slurry ponds, and millions of cubic yards of coal combustion waste, SCI Fayette is inescapably situated in the midst of a massive toxic waste dump,” said Ben Fiorillo, ALC representative, in a statement about the report.

An investigation was launched by the ALC and the HRC, along with the Center for Coalified Justice, in August 2013. Following the results of the report, the groups are calling for the prison to be shut down.

SCI Fayette also has higher inmate death rates than all prisons in the state, but two. Those two prisons have higher geriatric populations than SCI Fayette. SCI Fayette is a medium security prison and houses nearly 2,000 inmates and employs nearly 700 staff members.

Residents of the nearby town La Belle also reported high rates of breathing problems and cancer.

The report is the preliminary findings of the investigation. Advocates say more research is needed to understand the risks of the coal ash and nature of the prisoners health problems.

Officials at the state Department of Corrections are reviewing the report, as well as the Pennsylvania State Correctional Officers Association.