SLUDGE VICTIMS

SLUDGE VICTIMS - THE ZANDER FAMILY, LYNDEN, WASHINGTON

For 28 years Ray and Linda Zander lived in their picturesque yellow two story home, situated on a manicured lawn, surrounded by fruit trees, sugar maples and rhododendrons, raising their family and operating a successful dairy.

In 1988 sewage sludge was spread on neighboring 70-acre site which was leased by a waste disposal company. Within a year, the Zanders noticed a change in their herd. Milk production dropped from 19892 pounds in 1988 to 16575 pounds in 1990. The cows were not breeding back as quickly; some developed arthritis in their hind legs; calves were bom with tendon abnormalities.

In 1990, the Zanders contested the re-permitting of the sludge site. The Hearing Examiner sided with the Zanders, saying "Bone development problems and increased calf mortality...is consistent with exposure to detected levels of copper and zinc in the (Zander's) well."

When authorities investigated the sludge site, they found it was a converted wetland that was clearly unacceptable for sludge spreading. The low soil pH resulting in acidic conditions (which increases metals mobility), drainage pattern, and chemical content of the sludge enabled heavy metals to enter groundwater and move from the sludge site into the Zander's land and water

Blood and tissue samples taken from the sick cows showed extensive liver damage. Tests of the Zander Well water showed levels oflead, copper and zinc far exceeding Federal Safe Drinking Water Act maximum contamination levels. Lead was 40 times above the federal guideline of 25 parts per billion.

The Zanders suffered numerous health problems. Linda experienced mycoplasma pneumonia, chemical induced brain damage, thyroid problems and immune system damage. Raymond suffers from hyperthyroid, lupus and nickel toxicity.

Others who lived in the area and on the Zander farm also suffered serious illness. Mrs. Zander's daughter-in-law almost died because it took her doctor over a year to properly diagnose the fecal parasite BLASTOCYSTITIS HOMINIS which was eating away her life blood. The source of this infectious disease is human waste. Mrs. Zander's 10 year old niece, who lived on the farm, was also infected with this intestinal parasite - she suffered severe stomach cramps and liver problems.

Their four dogs died; an autopsy revealed chemically induced hepatitis. A native Co-Ho salmon stream that bordered their property was destroyed by the sludge pollutants.

Weakened by their declining health, and insurmountable financial woes because of the highmortality of their dairy herd, the Zanders were forced (to) abandon their beloved farm and file for bankruptcy.