- cbs42.com/default.aspx
- cbs42.com/content/cbs42/story/Deadly-Deception/gLYJ-c2sDkuzt3Oj6ba26g.cspx
- cbs42.com/content/special/pollution/deadly/default.aspx
Provide names of other journalists involved.
Sonya DiCarlo, Scott MacDowell, Bill Ballard, Bill Payer, Toby Carter, Tiffany Westry, Ken Lass, Sherri Jackson
List date(s) this work was published or aired.
August 7, 2011 August 27, 2011
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
Deadly Deception is a one hour commercial free documentary that revealed evidence of toxic testing at homes and schools in some North Birmingham communities. Our months long investigation uncovered evidence of deception by city, county, state and federal environmental regulators as well as elected officials. We told the story of families who were kept in the dark concerning the evidence until our stories began revealing the details. These families were convinced the chemicals were causing them to become sick and die. The most significant find in the documentary was that the EPA had ordered Walter Coke to test outside the boundaries of their facility for possible contamination – in 1989. Nothing happened until 2005 when negotiations began. The other large find was that school officials new the levels at some schools were high and the soil needed to be remediated however they never informed the parents or faculty at those schools.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
Our investigative team searched continuously for months on the EPA and ADEM web sites for documents regarding industry activity in North Birmingham. We were also able to find documents of communication between regulators and industry which told the story of regulators bowing to industry demands. We requested information through FOIA requests for details of industry problems and permits. We were also able to access details concerning the chemicals in question through internet searches. This material we obtained was invaluable as it provided verification on the details we were hearing from local experts.
Explain types of human sources used.
We interviewed more than 80 people for the documentary. We were in constant contact with the EPA via, email, phone and in person whenever they came to Birmingham for meetings with residents. We also followed up consistently with the Jefferson County Health Department, who regulates the clean air act, to get clarification on their testing and communication with residents. The families we contacted were invaluable for the story since they convey a concern that can be felt by almost anyone from any community. We maintained contact with elected officials wanting to know what they knew. Industry reaction was imperative…and not always easy to get. The interesting “third” angle to this story was provided by environmental experts who were familiar with the history of North Birmingham.
Results:
We awakened not only a community to the issues but uncovered evidence of regulators and elected officials “asleep at the wheel.” More tangible: * the EPA in late December announced the Superfund program would now be conducting the testing and cleanup in North Birmingham *the local NAACP recently awarded us one of their annual community contribution awards. The University of Alabama at Birmingham has used our documentary as a teaching tool. It has been shown in a variety of venues at other colleges and universities in the area. * Local environmental groups are organizing a showing of Deadly Deception at the historic Carver Theatre, March 1st. *Pastors in the North Birmingham communities have praised Deadly Deception from the pulpit and urged their congregations to act on this important environmental justice topic *Birmingham city officials have acknowledged Deadly Deception as the impetus for their efforts. The Birmingham School District recently put on hold plans for another new school in the area due to toxic testing (this after we reported the school board built a school on contaminated soil).
Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
Despite the many players in this documentary and very complex nature of the issues we were never challenged on the merits of our documentary. We continued to follow regulators and elected officials to see if they plan to look for answers to many residents’ concerns. We are planning to air a follow up documentary, March 1st to provide an update on what (in any) changes have occurred since last August. Most importantly, the EPA has brought in the Superfund program which will provide a more comprehensive study of the land, air and water. The Superfund program will oversee cleanup and will hold identifiable responsible parties accountable.
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
Because this story involves complex scientific data, it is important to find knowledgable and respected experts to carry along in the process. The story involves many players including: big industry which provides for many jobs – city, state and federal regulators who answer to bosses who critique their work – and families who are scared. It’s important to understand that delicate nature and take in to account all angles. We analyzed every word for facts and wording of every story before and after the documentary to make sure we had it right. This is especially important when other reporters and producers wind up becoming part of the “team” in airing the stories. This can lead to a fair amount of unusual oversight. It’s imperative, for all involved to not imply culpability when culpability cannot be documented.