More than five million tons of that garbage, much of it containing toxic chemicals, is burned in polluting incinerators or buried in dangerous landfills. Garbage incinerators are the single biggest source of mercury emissions in the state. Seven federal Superfund hazardous waste sites in Massachusetts are former landfills. Leaking landfills have caused the contamination of dozens of water supplies. In children, may cause delayed physical and mental development and deficits in hearing and learning ability.
Chronic exposure is linked to kidney, reproductive and neurological disease.
Increased risk of cancer even at low levels and suspected of decreasing fertility. Can impair immune system function, neurological development and learning behavior in infants and small children. For Its Own Gain Changing our society's throwaway habits is hard enough, but the influence of special interest lobbyists and the powerful waste management industry makes a tough task even more difficult. The people of Massachusetts have been fighting for solid waste solutions for over 20 years. Billions of beverage containers have been recycled since 1982, when voters passed the Bottle Bill.