Note: The following is not a verbatim transcript of the Zoning Hearing Board meeting; it is simply one person’s summary of the major points made by those involved in the hearing process.  For that reason, quotation marks are not used unless a direct quote was recorded.  For information about obtaining an official ZHB transcript, contact the New Hanover Township office.

The meeting started with the cross-examination of Dr. Richard Bell, a pulmonary specialist by township attorney Julie Von Spreckelsen. 

Bell said that his concerns deal with dust that is ultrafine and that can exacerbate existing health and pulmonary problems.  Bell is concerned about higher concentrations of these particles generated and spread by a quarry and the day in and day out exposure to this dust.  Harris made sure that Dr. Bell said that any quarry (or other operation) could produce this, not just their proposed quarry.

Previously, Bell had entered an exhibit (a report) that said that little information is available on the chronic effects of PM10 (See Aug. 5, 2004 Summary for more on PM10). After this Harris rested his cross-examination.

Roger Buchanan, president of the Paradise Watchdogs, next questioned Dr. Bell. Buchanan asked Bell to explain (in tons) how much PM10 and PM2.5 Gibraltar Rock (in its own application) said would be produced per year.  Bell said 23 tons of PM10 and 6 tons of PM2.5.

Buchanan tried to get Bell to explain how this can damage the lungs.  Harris continued his recent trend to object to everything asked by non-attorneys.  Bell did say that this amount of dust would stress normal lungs.

Buchanan tried also to get Bell to explain how the composition of the dust mattered as well.

The meeting was adjourned.  

See Also:
Summary of the previous meeting (August 5 2004)