More Reports of Cancer Near Koch Brothers' Factory

Original Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-greenwald/more-reports-of-cancer-ne_b_1017997.html

By Robert Greenwald

Lance was one of the tens of thousands who saw our video, "EXPOSED: Koch Industries and Cancer Risks" and was activated to speak out against "Crossett Crud," which is how local doctors describe the sore throats, runny noses, burning eyes and the many other ailments that affect Crossett residents.

Lance went to school in Crossett and spent much of his life. He and his friends nicknamed the brown waterways near their home "Stink Creek." For as long as he could remember, the smell had stained the community, he said in an interview with Koch Brothers Exposed producers.

"It's a sickening thought what's going on in Crossett," Lance said in an interview. "My parents could be next."

Lance is an alumni of a school system that ranks in the top 1 percentile of exposure to cancer causing toxins.

For every one Lance, there's many other individuals who've suffered, or continue suffering, so the Koch brothers could profit. But because the Koch Industries factory is the biggest employer in Crossett, many people are reluctant to speak out. The company donates just enough money to the schools, police department, local churches and the Chamber of Commerce that the company is untouchable, even though the company's pollutants are odorous from the steps of City Hall.

Many of the comments we received from our video at Koch Brothers Exposed were aghast that government regulators allow the Koch brothers' pollution to harm individuals.

But it's permitted by the Environmental Protection Agency. The Koch brothers' billions affords them access to establish or influence politicians, think tanks, family foundations and front groups to weaken oversight and safety laws. The EPA, local agencies and Arkansas state officials are unable to enforce existing laws and precedent in the face of the Koch brothers and their $100 billion Koch Industries.

That's why we're trying to help the people of Crossett with comments they can use to confront the Koch brothers. See their stories and take action to fight back.

You might save lives in Arkansas.