FORT MILL, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) -- An Emory University Hospital professor says environmental hazards do not affect kids the same way they do adults. Dr. Abby Mutic is part of a group concerned about Fort Mill's Silfab Solar facility and its potentially hazardous materials.
Mutic felt she needed school leaders to know the facts fast on the controversial business location.
"We often think of kids as these little miniature adults, but in fact, they are not," she explained. "Their brains are developing as well as the other important lungs and other organ systems in their bodies."
She runs the Southeast Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit at Emory University. Her researchers work closely with federal regulators like the Center for Disease Controls' toxic registry and the Environmental Protection Agency, to provide information about how things like the proximity of industrial chemicals may affect children.
"And this particular case, it's really about prevention," she said.
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Mutic's unit sent a letter to neighbors of Fort Mill's Silfab Solar facility and the two schools set to open nearby. The letter details how chemical exposures can affect children's development and learning.
"The prenatal period is also a highly vulnerable time frame when harmful environmental exposures to the mother can unintentionally affect the growth and development of the fetus," the letter reads. "Given our role in advocating for child health, the Southeast PEHSU believes it is critical to address these concerns thoroughly and promptly."
"What we have to do is rely on the literature one by one of the chemicals and add toxic ingredients and be of concern when we see these thresholds that are beyond the recommended dosage for health," Mutic said.
Silfab has been a target of criticism with some neighbors concerned about possible environmental contamination. Now Fort Mill School District officials are considering launching an environmental impact study to determine any potential risks.
Dr. Abby Mutic"The main area of focus for that is they're going to look at all the modeling data that was provided as part of the air-quality permit. They're going to verify that the data match as to what the permits are adjusted for and ensure that that that information matches up," said Fort Mill's communications officer Joseph Burke.
The letter also lists the numerous chemicals the facility will be working with.
"Given the types of chemicals and their properties listed in permits and the Silfab Solar's Risk Management Plan, including but not limited to: Anhydrous Ammonia, Hydrochloric Acid, Hydrofluoric acid, Silane along with the quantities stored, we urge the school siting decision makers to consider an independent third party to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the potential health and safety impacts posed by this (or any new) industrial process that is constructed within proximity of childcare or learning centers. Specifically, the EPA recommends a sound technical assessment of both onsite and nearby potential hazards be conducted to determine whether such hazards might pose a threat to students or school staff. In this case, Silfab's operations located adjacent and
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