When a sample is tested, there is a lot of it that is untouched in the first round of tests, which are more general and typically involved a threshhold marker (much like a common drug test). Then there are further tests that get more specific. In any lab work there can be flyers, such as the Appy State tests that show zero for some elements that we all know are present.

No test is perfect, so they go from a shotgun test to the rifle test, down to the laser test (figuratively speaking) to see exactly how much of anything is actually there, once the indicators are triggered. Does that apply in this case? We will find out.

What this illustrates is the wisdom of not flying off the handle and announcing on CNN (Erin Brockovich) that people want to know why there is Thallium in their drinking water, without knowing for sure if there really IS thallium in the drinking water. It hurts the enviro-cred of long term activists who are far more careful and reasonable in how they work toward the same goals we all share.

BTW...No test has shown thallium threshhold levels in treated water. That should have been a clue that further testing was called for. In the haste to put the info out, EPA did not post the qualifying language that goes out with a final report.

The EPA report does have the appropriate language posted with it, along with the data from the treated waterwhich showed no MCL of thallium. An no subsequent test has shown threshhold levels of thallium.

The report was not debunked...it was correct all along.

What this illustrates is the wisdom of not flying off the handle and announcing on CNN (Erin Brockovich) that people want to know why there is Thallium in their drinking water, without knowing for sure if there really IS thallium in the drinking water. It hurts the enviro-cred of long term activists who are far more careful and reasonable in how they work toward the same goals we all share.

My point exactly from the other thread. Proactive versus reactive.

You suggest people wait to be concerned until the water is tested. While the various agencies argue and debate the test levels people are drinking that water? I would not have a cup of coffee or an iced tea in all of Roane County.

You don't want Erin Brockovich's help. Some of the local activists want this done their way. Friday night we will see how many people agree with you. Most people in America have no idea the magnitude of what happened.

You should be thankful for any public exposure this disaster gets. If the February report on the TVA pond that failed had been on Sixty Minutes, or even in the KNS, this might never had happened. Meanwhile TVA is using the most despicable PR ever.

I'm glad Erin Brockovich is coming. I hope she brings the national media with her.

It's not clear whether this was just a reporter's poor choice of words or if he was quoting TVA officials, but either the KNS or TVA or both seem to approach the problem from a standpoint that there is no problem and expect test results to confirm that or they're presumed inaccurate, or "bunk."

Trust TVA at your own peril. Public media exposure is the only way that this will fixed and the water and air made safe again.

Thanks for clearing that up, WC. Makes more sense than the KNS report.

And just to be clear, my observation is not about the testing so much as the use of loaded words in media reports.

I'm glad Erin Brockovich is coming, she's amazing. I find it unfortunate though some people who might benefit from her help react badly to that, the same wway some Tennesseans react to union organizing. They seem to think the big companies have their best interests at heart but unions and lawyers are bad, its strange really.

One concern is that if a law firm gets the community to sign on to a class action, does that a) prevent individual lawsuits, b) prolong the legal battle for years, and c) reduce the individual settlements, not to mention the law firm's cut?

Would it be better for each resident to work out their own settlement with TVA (with the help of legal counsel and expert advice) and try to get that done quickly?

I'm not advocating for one or the other, I honestly don't know how it works.

Other lawsuits for better regulatory oversights and fines would be a separate issue. But we know who ultimately ends up paying the fines, and for the lawyers on both sides.

The legal nightmares have only just begun!

Brockovich visit concerns some

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2009/jan/08/brockovich-visit-concerns-some/

Who is behind the curtain? We are not in Kansas anymore Toto.

Whitescreek, I have tried to register at your site twice, but apparently am not going to be admitted for some reason. At any rate, the video you have posted at Roaneviews is (albeit a little too long) a very powerful and heartbreaking look at Swan Pond before and after the disaster. My family had property there during my childhood and I spent many happy years playing in the Emory River. The video made me cry.

For those who haven't seen it, take a look at
http://www.roaneviews.com/?q=node/1901

http://www.wbir.com/video/breakingvideo.aspx

You can hear this live at WBIR at link (around 11:00am and is on now).