Results from both Air & Remedial Waste Division.
Health Consultation Is Cottonwood Safe from Heavy Metals?
Blasting At Our Slag Pile by
VFW, Fairgrounds, Library, Rec Center, Senior Center…
ADEQ Representative stated non of the dust left the property
Please comment on the youtube. Your thoughts and concerns may help the effort.
So there is no recording of this extremely important meeting.
Very Sad!
You all must become scientists and read the documents to know toxic exposure. To stop blasting and crushing of our slag pile, it will require a grassroots effort. People must let the City of Cottonwood know your feelings.
Arizona Republic Makes it sound we are ok. Read through till the end.
University of Arizona Garden Roots Program
Last year University of Arizona did preliminary testing of dust in Cottonwood using Purple Air Device, tested air filters, soil testing, dust testing inside and outside homes and businesses.
FYI: Dust is not regulated in the United States.
Garden Roots results showed high lead and arsenic infiltrating homes and business.
If anyone who wants to test your home or buisnesses in the 2 mile radius of the slag pile, University of Arizona will be doing another more extended study. You can choose to not to share your data!
Let Dr.Sina know if you would like to participate in the new study. She will facilitate you getting device and get trained to be a hometown scientist..
Below is about the history of our situation in Cottownood
– the Heart of the Verde Valley
Previous Meetings First December 13, 2023
Following Meeting February 27, 2025
REMINDERS TO REDUCE TOXIC DUST EXPOSURE
Inside & Outside the Home
OUTDOORS — LIMIT CONTACT & INHALATION
- Wear the right mask when dust/smoke is presentUse a well-fitted N95 (Cloth masks don’t block fine particles.)
- Roll your windows up while driving in the area and run you air on recirulate.
- Avoid being in the area that day if possible especially if it is windy!
- Clean you sinuses with neti pot or sinus rinse.
- Decontaminate after time outdoors
- Shoes off at the door. Change clothes promptly. Shower and wash hair after heavy exposure (especially kids).
INDOORS — CREATE A CLEAN-AIR SANCTUARY
- Run HEPA air purifiers
- Place one in the bedroom (most important) and main living area. Run continuously during dust/smoke episodes.
- Upgrade and maintain HVAC filtration
- Use MERV-13 or higher if your system allows. Replace filters regularly during dusty seasons.
- Clean without re-suspending toxins
- No dry sweeping. Use wet mopping, damp microfiber cloths, and HEPA vacuums. Focus on entryways, floors, window sills, and vents.
BLOG
Dr. Shaida Sina
January 1, 2024, Dr. Sina wrote a petition to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a division of Center for Disease Control (CDC). She requested ATSDR to use environmental health tools to investigate possible pathway toxins that are coming into our community (Jerome, Clarkdale, & Cottonwood). The focus was to be in Cottonwood around the slag pile and where the old Clemenceau smelter stood. ATSDR has not yet approved the request because there must first be testing. 5 requests were made to:
- Determine whether mining waste has affected our community
- Determine if those toxins could be getting into our body
- Determine if they could affect our health
- Direct ADEQ Arizona Department of Environmental Quality on appropriate testing so ATSDR and DHS can write a report and recommend actions to protect health
- Review safety of using copper mining waste as an upcycled material which could potentially spread toxins and cause illness.
April 2024 – CDC Accepted the petition for Clarkdale and Cottonwood, but denied Jerome. Jerome was denied because it has never had environmental testing!
Fall of 2024 – Dr. Sina met with Dr. Jeffery Reynoso Director of Region 9 Health and Human Services who recommended she write more requests. Click here to learn more
November 17, 2024 Dr. Sina gave a lecture: https://rumble.com/v5r1gth-health-effects-of-mining-with-dr.-shaida-sina.html
December 2, 2024 ADEQ contacted Dr. Sina, “Thank you for your inquiry sent to Tina and Hazel below. A community update will be going out soon with a more thorough update on the status of the Preliminary Investigation (PI). However, I can share that we are going back to do more sampling in certain areas indicated by the previous results as needing more focused investigation. We will also be collecting additional background samples and appreciate the input on potential background locations. The additional sampling and background sampling will include aluminum. We look forward to sharing more information on the air monitoring, PI, and air permitting in the community update very soon.”