Fishing Advisory Possible On Parts of Conasauga

A spokesman for the Georgia Environmental Protection Division says a fishing advisory could be issued for the Conasauga River in Northwest Georgia. That's if a report showing high levels of a likely carcinogen is confirmed.

The EPD expects their testing of four sites on the Conasauga to be completed by the end of the month.

This is the first time the EPD has publicly raised the possibility of a fishing advisory since a University of Georgia study showed high levels of PFOA contamination in the river in January. PFOA, or C-8, as it’s also called, is a chemical produced during carpet finishing. It is also used for other applications, such as Teflon.

The US Environmental Protection Agency calls PFOA a “likely carcinogen.” It ends up in the river through a sewage spray field in Whitfield County. Jeremy Smith, a project manager for the EPD, says it would be premature to consider other regulatory measures until further studies are completed. And that research, which is expensive, would come only if necessary. However, Smith says a fishing advisory may be needed.

"If they're [PFOA LEVELS] around those concentrations that Minnesota listed as potentially harmful, if they are, that [fishing advisory] could happen.”

The UGA study showed levels in the Conasauga are two times higher than Minnesota's allowable standard in ground water. As GPB reported earlier this year, internal documents show US EPA sampling found PFOA levels higher than the UGA study.

You can view GPB's extensive reporting on PFOA contamination in the Conasauga by clicking here: http://www.gpb.org/georgiagazette/conasauga

Dow Falls, More Layoffs, Puppies Galore

The Dow Jones Index is dropping like a brick off a bridge right now. Barring a massive rally the next ten minutes, the index will have lost about six hundred points.

That's over a five thousand point decline in the past twelve months.

Meanwhile, in the very Northwestern corner of the state, Shaw is laying off over four hundred Dade County workers.

If feeling down about the economy, please click here.
(Don't you feel better, even just a little bit?)

PFOA Testing Starts in NW Georgia

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division has begun sampling the Conasauga River for a likely carcinogenic chemical. The chemical is called PFOA, and among other applications, it’s a waste product of the carpet industry.

The U.S. EPA has deemed it a likely carcinogen, and now officials at the state level are testing for it in the Northwest Georgia area. Researchers have collected spotted bass and blue catfish, and within a few weeks scientists will also be sampling ground water and soil around the Dalton area.

Exactly how PFOA impacts human health, if at all, is the subject of much debate. Several studies have linked the chemical to stroke, prostate and colon cancer, but there is not yet scientific consensus.

The Carpet Industry is holding a meeting next month, where they will discuss how to phase the chemical out.

The state sampling has been described as a first step. Researchers will also be evaluating the concentrations of other chemicals related to PFOA, also called c8. One such chemical is c5. That compound is expected to replace PFOA in the production of stain resistant carpet.

For much more coverage of the PFOA contamination, click here.

Mystery spill kills fish

State environmental officials say a chemical spill in metro Atlanta poses no danger to the public or to the Chattahoochee River. But the Department of Natural Resources still hasn't been able to identify the substance. It has already killed thousands of freshwater carp, catfish and bass in a private lake in Mableton.

Unemployment Rising in North West Georgia

Statewide, unemployment claims have risen almost 40 percent from last year, and more than doubled in North West Georgia.

Unemployment is up 65 percent in Whitfield County, and almost 25 percent in neighboring Gordon County.

Sam Hall, from Georgia's Department of Labor said he is concerned about the recent job loss in the region.

"The bulk of the layoffs in the Dalton and Gordon County area have been in carpet and other manufacturing industries. These layoffs are the reason North Georgia is the region with the largest amount of claims," said Hall.

Hall said last year, Dalton's unemployment rate was lower than the State's average. But, because of the housing slump, the region is expected to have stagnant job growth for the rest of the year.

Propex Files Chapter 11

Propex carpet manufacturer, which employs almost two thousand Georgians, is filing for bankruptcy.

With the housing slump, and fall out from shaky sub prime mortgages, bankers will not offer refinancing for Propex.

Company Vice President, Matt Bridges said he expects Propex to come out of the bankruptcy intact.

“This chapter filing is not about head counts or plants closing or some of the things you read about in higly publicized Chapter 11 filings. It is all about our balance sheet. It is about creating a more healhty Propex with less debt on the balence sheet and in essence, becomming a stronger company,” said Bridger.

Bridger said all 1700 Georgia workers will keep their jobs.

“So many of our businesses are tied to the housing market and the residential construction business. However, we have some very unique and aggressive marketing strategies that will hopefully drive more volume into these plants.”

The company runs five plants in Georgia.

Carpet maker lied on tax filing

A Dalton carpet maker has pleaded guilty to filing a false tax return. The Atlanta Business Chronicle reports that Beaulieu admits it filed a false federal tax return in 2000. The company is charged with depreciating some carpet equipment. The company will pay $3 million in fines. No individuals faced charges, but Beaulieu’s CEO and Vice President have resigned.