Perspectives on Pollution and the Basis of Fact: The Case of Environmental Degradation by the Hoosier Magnetics Plant in Ogdensburg, New York

摘要

The Hoosier Magnetics plant is located in a residential neighborhood of Ogdensburg, just north of the Adirondack Park. The plant processes raw materials, with local deposition of atmospheric particulates. Noise pollution is also generated. Soil remediation, facility upgrades, and a community awareness program resulted from a consent order with several state agencies in 1993. Nonetheless, noise and atmospheric releases continued. Citizen dissatisfaction with noise is greatest at night. Local deposition is visible and difficult to clean. Neighbors acknowledge improvements, but still blame the factory for respiratory ailments. Hoosier believes its air pollution is harmless. NYS-DEC and the company recently entered into a second consent order to determine the amount of fine particulates in atmospheric emissions. Events have been regularly reported by both a local daily and a regional daily newspaper. Early articles by the local paper were sympathetic to the company. The regional paper has emphasized controversy. Company management, state employees, local residents, and both newspapers have somewhat different perspectives. Still, there are major areas of agreement, which are taken to be the facts or reality of this situation.