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Timeline Project: Learn from
archived newspapers
Using newspapers as a source of historical research, we are given an inside glimpse into harmful chemical disposal, industrial dumping, cancer cluster investigations, and other environmental topics in Florida dating back to the 1940s. This is an ongoing project, please continue to visit for updates as we continue to upload and organize this web page.
----------> Florida Pollution & Contamination Timeline
1970 Florida Lakes Polluted
Housewives fight to save Florida's lakes in 1970 after learning they are polluted. "People come to Florida to enjoy our beautiful lakes remaining. And we have a chance to save them - before it's too late."
St Lucie News Tribune1/1/1970
St Lucie News Tribune1/1/1970
1970 Thermal Pollution from Power Plants
Official and experts concerned with environmental impacts from thermal pollution where water is heated from power plants discuss preventing future damage.
The Tampa Times 5/29/70
The Tampa Times 5/29/70
1980 Florida Sends Waste to Other States
Florida had no approved hazardous waste disposal site, so waste was transported to dumps in South Carolina and Alabama. In five month 157 truckloads of Florida waste from 50 wastemakers crossed the state line for disposal at the Chemical Wast Management plant in Livingston, Ala.
For about three years, Monsanto shipped several drums of waste a year to Alabama.
The Pam Beach Post 8/17/80
For about three years, Monsanto shipped several drums of waste a year to Alabama.
The Pam Beach Post 8/17/80
1983 EDB Groundwater Contamination
Pesticides Temik and EDB have leached into more than 100 drinking water well in Florida.
Florida Today 10/1/1983
Florida Today 10/1/1983
1984 Industries Escape Cleanup by Filing Bankruptcy
Operators of toxic waste dups on the federal Superfund list filed for bankruptcy to avoid paying cleanup costs.
For many, filing for bankruptcy is cheaper than paying millions fo dollars to clean up.
EPA offical became concerned with the rash of bankruptcies at Superfund dumps and worried that it would extend to landfills who accept hazardous wastes.
The Tampa Tribune 7/10/84
For many, filing for bankruptcy is cheaper than paying millions fo dollars to clean up.
EPA offical became concerned with the rash of bankruptcies at Superfund dumps and worried that it would extend to landfills who accept hazardous wastes.
The Tampa Tribune 7/10/84
1985 Waste Disposal Off Florida Shores
Two hazardous waste incineration ships containing 1.6 million gallons of PCBs and other chemical wastes would be tested about 190 milies east of Daytona Beach if EPA proposal is approved.
Florida Today 10/1/1985
Florida Today 10/1/1985
2008 Contaminated Groundwater in St Petersburg's Azalea Neighborhood
Groundwater contamination and a plume was discovered from Raytheon operation and community members from the Azalea neighborhood were concerned about the potential impact by the contamination. The Tampa Tribune 4/21/08
----------> Cancer & Health Concerns Throughout Florida Timeline
1988 Pinellas School Cancer Cluster Concerns
Over 45 Dixie Hollins High graduates diagnosed with cancer.
Tampa Bay Times 10/3/1988
Tampa Bay Times 10/3/1988
1994 Oncologists for Brevard Necessary
Orlando doctors find visits to Brevard County necessary with children being diagnosed with cancer and needing treatments. Kidney conditions (Wilm's tumor) have been associated with PFAS chemicals which have been found at some of the highest levels in Brevard County in the nation.
Florida Today 3/4/1994
Florida Today 3/4/1994
1997 Florida Investigates Childhood Cancer Cluster in St. Lucie
The state tested air, soil and water for more than 400 chemical compounds at 35 sites in St. Lucie County in early 1998. Experts suspect that the increase cancer rates is caused by something environmental.
Only about 2 percent of the 70,000 manufactured compounds in use have been studied for toxic or cancer-causing properties. Companies release chemicals without ever having to test them or prove they don't cause harm to the environment or human health.
In the early 1980s the CDC was unable to establish a link between a cluster of childhood leukemia cases and rinking water wells highly contaminated by an industrial solvent. Fast forward to 2022 to Camp Lejeune.
The Tampa Tribune Sun 12/21/1997
Only about 2 percent of the 70,000 manufactured compounds in use have been studied for toxic or cancer-causing properties. Companies release chemicals without ever having to test them or prove they don't cause harm to the environment or human health.
In the early 1980s the CDC was unable to establish a link between a cluster of childhood leukemia cases and rinking water wells highly contaminated by an industrial solvent. Fast forward to 2022 to Camp Lejeune.
The Tampa Tribune Sun 12/21/1997
2001 Teen Diagnosed with Cancer in Cluster Study Dies
Teen among 30 children involved in a state "cancer cluster" investigation in St. Lucie dies from brain cancer.
Tribune 2001
Tribune 2001
2004 Florida Investigates Suspected Cancer Clusters
Florida cases in the study included residents living near Coronet Industries and children's brain cancer cluster in Port St. Lucie.
Residents of Lincoln Park near Coronet were concerned with two abandoned landfills and complained of cancer. They wondered whether pollution from the phosphate processor or landfills were to blame.
Researchers admit that cases are never really resolved.
The Tampa Tribune 7/31/04
Residents of Lincoln Park near Coronet were concerned with two abandoned landfills and complained of cancer. They wondered whether pollution from the phosphate processor or landfills were to blame.
Researchers admit that cases are never really resolved.
The Tampa Tribune 7/31/04
----------> Florida Drinking Water Timeline
1977 Studies Link Cancer with Use of Chlorine
New scientific studies link death rates for cancer - mainly bladder with the extent to which water is chlorinated.
Melbourne's drinking water found to have one of the highest chloroform levels in the southeast.
The acceptable EPA chloroform level is between 70 and 100 parts per billion (ppb), Melbourne's water was found to contain as much as 730 ppb.
Florida Today 5/4/1977
Melbourne's drinking water found to have one of the highest chloroform levels in the southeast.
The acceptable EPA chloroform level is between 70 and 100 parts per billion (ppb), Melbourne's water was found to contain as much as 730 ppb.
Florida Today 5/4/1977