Arkansas Dept. of Health (ADH) in Violation of FOIA Request – Part 1

Arkansas Dept. of Health (ADH) in Violation of FOIA Request – Part 1

Based on our previous alert containing articles written by Becky Gillette about the Carroll Boone Water District, Secure Arkansas decided to send out an FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request to the Arkansas Department of Health.  We’re starting to rack up unanswered FOIA’s, and we’ve got more of them to send to the Arkansas Department of Health. So far, there are numerous FOIA’s that haven’t been properly answered and they did not provide the proper documentation.  How many does it take before you’re alarmed??

Secure Arkansas sent a FOIA request to the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) on August 3, 2015 asking for 19 items.  Out of the 19 items, ADH only answered items 2 and 11, and the answer for item 11 did not address the request.  It appears that ADH is attempting to delay the FOIA process by putting out erroneous information which is not supported by true science. Mr. Reginald Rogers of ADH stated in the FOIA response to Secure Arkansas that he was informed that ADH does not have any documents to address the Secure Arkansas’ FOIA request, other than item 2 and item 11.  It appears that they’re stonewalling the general public and trying to convince us that fluoride is “safe and effective”…. but it’s not! Who is informing Mr. Rogers that they “Do NOT have documents for our requests except what was provided for item 2 and 11”?

One of the FOIA requests containing 19 items sent to ADH by Secure Arkansas is as follows (highlight and bold font is our comment about the ADH):

1)  Provide: A copy of all the correspondence sent to the Water Districts instructing them to lower their fluoridation rate to .7mg/l from the old fluoridation level of  .7mg/l to 1.2mg/l.

ADH has not notified the water operators in the state to lower their fluoridation rate to .7mg/l.

2)  Provide: A copy of the regulation that states that any product added to the public water system must be lead free.

ADH answered this item ONLY by referring us to their Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Public Water Systems.  See VII item G on page 11.  We’ve posted that here:

G Approved Chemicals, Materials, Equipment , and Processes                

All chemicals added to the water and all materials in contact with in-process or treated water shall be certified as being in compliance with ANSI/NSF Standards 60 and 61, as applicable. In addition, all products required to be “lead free” as determined through Section 1417 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300g-6) shall be certified as being in compliance with NSF/ANSI 372 or Annex G of NSF/ANSI 61. Certification shall be made by an independent agency. Self-certification by the manufacturer will not be accepted.  

(We are not aware of any certification being performed by an independent agency at any location in the state of Arkansas.)

3)  Provide: A list of the hydrofluorosilicic acid and silicofluoride manufacturers that submitted their products to NSF for certification.

ADH did NOT answer this item.

4)  Provide: A copy of all certificates of analysis from the vendors of the chemical products shipped to site that certify that the product provided is in compliance with ANSI/FSF standards 60 and 61.

ADH did NOT answer this item.

5)  Provide: A copy of the test results made by an independent analysis of the chemical product supplied to make sure they match the product provided in item 3 above.

ADH did NOT answer this item.

6)  Provide: A copy of the regulation that covers a fluoride chemical acid spill at a water plant site.

ADH did NOT answer this item.

ADH is in violation of this item. Please read the following:

The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) of 1986 was created to help communities plan for emergencies involving hazardous substances. EPCRA requires hazardous chemical emergency planning by federal, state and local governments, Indian tribes, and industry. It also requires industry to report on the storage, use and releases of hazardous chemicals to federal, state, and local governments.

7) Provide: A copy of the regulation that lists the landfill location where the hazardous contaminants can legally be disposed of in the event a fluoride chemical acid spill occurs.

ADH did NOT answer this item.

8)  Provide: A copy of the rules and regulations pertaining to public water systems that covers OSHA 1910.10209(d)(1)(ii) regulation.

ADH did NOT answer this item.

9)  Provide: A copy of the rules and regulations pertaining to public water systems that covers DOT Hazardous Material Description UN 1778 regulation.

ADH did NOT answer this item.

ADH is in violation of this item. Please read the following:

UN 1778 designation covers the Potential Hazards, Public Safety and Emergency Response for the fluoride products.

The following is extracted from the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) for UN 1778 designation with guide number 154 (Substances – Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-Combustible) which covers Fluorosilicic acid, Fluosilicic acid, and Hydrofluorosilicic acid

GUIDE 154

GUIDE 154

SUBSTANCES – TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE (Non-Combustible)

POTENTIAL HAZARDS

HEALTH

• TOXIC; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact with material may cause severe injury or death.

• Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes.

• Avoid any skin contact.

• Effects of contact or inhalation may be delayed.

• Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.

• Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause pollution.

FIRE OR EXPLOSION

• Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes.

• Some are oxidizers and may ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.).

• Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas.

• Containers may explode when heated.

PUBLIC SAFETY

• CALL Emergency Response Telephone Number on Shipping Paper first. If Shipping Paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover.

• As an immediate precautionary measure, isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.

• Keep unauthorized personnel away.

• Stay upwind.

• Keep out of low areas.

• Ventilate enclosed areas.

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

• Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

• Wear chemical protective clothing that is specifically recommended by the manufacturer. It may provide little or no thermal protection.

• Structural firefighters’ protective clothing provides limited protection in fire situations ONLY; it is not effective in spill situations where direct contact with the substance is possible.

EVACUATION

Spill

• See Table 1 – Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances for highlighted materials. For non-highlighted materials, increase, in the downwind direction, as necessary, the isolation distance shown under PUBLIC SAFETY.

Fire

• If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

FIRE

Small Fire

• Dry chemical, CO2 or water spray.

Large Fire

• Dry chemical, CO2, alcohol-resistant foam or water spray.

• Move containers from fire area if you can do it without risk.

• Dike fire-control water for later disposal; do not scatter the material.

Fire involving Tanks or Car/Trailer Loads

• Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles.

• Do not get water inside containers.

• Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out.

• Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank.

• ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire.

SPILL OR LEAK

• ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames in immediate area).

• Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing.

• Stop leak if you can do it without risk.

• Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas.

• Absorb or cover with dry earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers.

• DO NOT GET WATER INSIDE CONTAINERS.

FIRST AID

• Move victim to fresh air.

• Call 911 or emergency medical service.

• Give artificial respiration if victim is not breathing.

• Do not use mouth-to-mouth method if victim ingested or inhaled the substance; give artificial respiration with the aid of a pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve or other proper respiratory medical device.

• Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult.

• Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes.

• In case of contact with substance, immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes.

• For minor skin contact, avoid spreading material on unaffected skin.

• Keep victim warm and quiet.

• Effects of exposure (inhalation, ingestion or skin contact) to substance may be delayed.

• Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved and take precautions to protect themselves.

Please read the following: http://phmsa.dot.gov/pv_obj_cache/pv_obj_id_7410989F4294AE44A2EBF6A80ADB640BCA8E4200/filename/ERG2012.pdf

10)  Provide: A copy of the rules and regulations pertaining to the public water system that covers Consumer Confidence Report Rule (40 CFR §141.151-155; Subpart 0) regulation.

ADH did NOT answer this item.

ADH is in violation of this item. Please read:

http://www2.epa.gov/sites/production/files/documents/CCR_Required_Info_Summary.pdf

http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/ccr/index.cfm

11)  Provide: A copy of all Arkansas Department of Health memos and correspondence showing any tests conducted in fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas proving the benefits of fluoride.

The answer that ADH provided on this item is old and outdated. The data came from a 2002 report with no information on the criteria used to gather the information.

12)  Provide: The written order or prescription in your possession or available to your agency from a medical or other professional which grants written assurance to the Water District that the addition of fluoridation materials to the water is safe for the general population and for special populations such as babies and those with thyroid and kidney diseases.

Since ADH will not provide the data on this item, it is assumed that ADH has NO written order of prescription in their possession to order the water districts to fluoridate/medicate.

13)  Provide: All documents relating to how the decision was made to mandate the fluoridation of Arkansas Water Supplies, including who campaigned in favor of and against fluoridation.

ADH did NOT answer this item.

14)  Provide: A copy of all documents discussing any spills or malfunctions which have occurred in the handling of fluoridation materials since fluoridation began.

ADH did NOT answer this item.

15)  Provide: A copy of all documents that address that fluoride is harmful to fish or repels fish, given the fact that there are scientific and scholarly reports which conclude this issue. See: http://fluoride-class-action.com/wp-content/uploads/carol-clinch-petition-to-auditor-general-chapter-6-evidence-of-environmental-harm.pdf.

ADH did NOT answer this item.

16)  Provide: A copy of the document showing the 2015 County Health Rankings for Arkansas.

ADH did NOT answer this item.

17) Provide: A copy of the document showing the “Health Status Plans for Improvement of Ouachita County and Beyond” that was presented by Larry Braden at the 7/23/15 Quarterly Meeting.

ADH did NOT answer this item.

18) Provide: A copy of the document showing the 2015 Annual Board of Health Workshop Survey Report that was reported on at the 7/23/15 Quarterly Meeting.

ADH did NOT answer this item.

19)  Provide: A copy of the document showing the ADH Strategic Plan Update that was reported on by Ann Purvis.

ADH did NOT answer this item.

Please note Arkansas Code 25-19-104 Penalty – any person who negligently violates any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor.

- – - – -

The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) is just a mouthpiece for the medical and dental communities…  plus, they appear to be colluding with the suppliers of the fluoride product.  If ADH was truly concerned about the health of the people of Arkansas, they would see to it that all health issues of the toxic water fluoridation were addressed before they charged ahead with the fluoridation mandate. There have been several Freedom of Information Requests (FOIA’s) that have been sent to ADH for which they claim they have no documents.  Once again, we challenge the Arkansas Department Health to a live debate using real science and not the fabricated information they have been feeding the public for all these years. Fluoride is NOT safe!

Rest assured, we will get more documentation from ADH…

As always, you can find our email articles posted on our website: SecureArkansas.com .  The Search box is a handy tool.

Securing the blessings of liberty,

Secure Arkansas
securetherepublic.com/arkansas
[email protected]

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