Constantine N. Polites wrote:
For those who believe in Murphy's law.. here are some photographs of my
recent encounter with a discharge of sulfuric dioxide
(which became sulfuric acid when it encountered the rain). On Saturday
night I was driving past a local refinery when I smelled
sulfuric acid and thought nothing of it, after all EPA is asleep on
weekends.
Sunday I discovered the damages. I did bring it to the attention of the
refinery's general counsel, and will attempt to recover
my costs.
See: www.scaffolding.com/damages
Constantine
The paint damage was that instant? Wow. I've seen some paint damage from
particulate foundry emissions but nothing like that.
If the refinery doesn't cough up to your satisfaction, may I suggest you
file a small-claims suit and take your case to the local media. Once you
have your damage documented in a legal forum, the newshounds will have
something to sink their teeth into. But you'll need to point it out to
them if you want action. Call 'em up, ask for their environmental
reporter/editor, and make your case. Tell them you have a lawsuit on
file, and tell them where it is.
You might also get an environmental activist agency on your side if you
can, first to name-drop to the paper/TV station -- but also, if there
are any class-action suits around, the tree-huggers are likely to know
about them.
I'd go to the metro daily paper first -- from my admittedly limited
geographic experience, almost all local news flows from them.
If the daily paper doesn't bite immediately, look for an alternative
weekly. They eat this stuff up but don't have the clout of the daily
press. You might also approach the consumer affairs reporters at local
TV stations. Obviously, you want the biggest local station involved if
possible.
Once you get a committed advocate in any medium, stick by them -- unless
a bigger patron comes along!
Good luck
Russ Maki
