Researchers provide update on AltEn to Mead community

A team led by DWFI researchers has been studying possible effects from the AltEn ethanol plant in Mead, Nebraska, since it shut down last year, after leaked contaminated wastewater was found. They presented to a group of about 50 community members at a Mead Town Hall session. The team includes DWFI Director of Water, Climate and Health Jesse Bell, Water Sciences Lab Director Dan Snow and DWFI Faculty Fellows Eleanor Rogan, Shannon Bartelt-Hunt and Liz VanWormer. Bell and Rogan, along with colleagues Ali Khan and Judy Wu-Smart, were present.

The team is particularly concerned with neurotoxins from the neonicotinoids produced by the plant, which is being sued by the state of Nebraska. “[It] raises the level of concern, particularly for infants and children, that they might experience some neurological problem with this. That would be my big concern," said Rogan.

Community members also voiced their concerns about the surrounding streams and wildlife, which are now considered “biologically dead”. In addition to homes, the research team is also sampling the water, soil, air and small animals.

A survey on perceived health impacts has been sent to 1,000 people in the surrounding community, and so far about 400 responses have been received. Anyone who has lived or worked near the contamination from the AltEn plant or its solid or liquid waste is encouraged to fill out the survey. The team also hopes to begin a medical registry that will follow willing participants for at least ten years, starting in January.

This work is part of UNMC’s partnership with DWFI to assess water quality impacts on health, and the start of the project was funded by the Claire M. Hubbard foundation. The update was covered by several local media outlets.