Wednesday, June 29, 2011

News Release: Citizens Rally Against Spring Hill Crematorium

The City of Spring Hill is currently considering a proposal from Spring Hill Memorial Park and Funeral Home to add a crematory to their existing facility at 5239 Main Street, Spring Hill, TN. Citizens for a Better Spring Hill believes that the proposed location for the crematory is incompatible with current land usage and zoning laws due to the release of toxins during the cremation process.

The toxins of particular concern include mercury and dioxins. Matthews International, the equipment manufacturer for the proposed crematory acknowledges on their own website that a study conducted by the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) reveals that on average 0.23 grams of mercury will be released per cremation (CANA study hosted by Matthews International) .

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), this seemingly low-level mercury release is still enough exceed the weekly exposure limit for as many as 16,000 children (EPA Integrated Risk Information System: Mercury). Dioxins will also be released during the cremation process. Dioxins are listed by the State of  Tennessee as “chemical warfare agents” under the Terrorism Prevention Act of
2002. The EPA states that there is no safe level of exposure to dioxins.

Citizens for a Better Spring Hill is circulating petitions calling on our city officials to protect the health and safety of Spring Hill residents by placing the crematory in a properly zoned location away from the heart of the community. Additionally, concerned citizens are being encouraged to contact city officials including planning commissioners and their elected Alderman. Citizens may also make their concerns known at the upcoming voting session of the City Planning Commission on Monday, July 11, 2011 at 5:30 pm at the Spring Hill City Hall.

Citizens for a Better Spring Hill is a grassroots organization working for the the health, safety, and further development of the residents and businesses of Spring Hill, Tennessee.

For links to additional information, please visit www.BetterSpringHill.org.

Contact: Mindi Godfrey
Phone: 615.398.9998
Email: mindi@betterspringhill.org

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