What Intel Says: 'We're a good Corporate Neighbor'

How Intel Acts: Profits Before People

"Many are talking about chemical and biological terror in the United States," says Robby Rodriguez, SWOP organizer "while Intel and corporations like them poison us every day."

According to New Mexico Air Quality Bureau emission reports, Intel’s air emission controls failed for 897.28 hours, or 37.39 days of operation, for the year 2000. “To put it in perspective that equates to 740 days of normal operation during the time the contols were down,” adds Robby Rodriguez. "That's three years of pollution during one calendar year.

"People are sick," says Joy Tschawuschian, "We are not imagining things."

Intel has asserted the company won't pay for air monitors for the communities surrounding the plant.

With the help of Communities for a Better Environment, SWOP has initiated a low-tech, but effective community air monitoring system. With an ordinary paint bucket, valve, and hand held vacuum, residents are taking air samples when experiencing adverse health effects (eye, nose, throat irritation, headaches, skin rashes etc.) to determine if Intel pollutants are in the air.

Fred Marsh of Corrales was quoted in the Corrales Comment as saying, “Of the first seven Bucket Brigade samples analyzed, all have been high in three chemicals Intel is known to release. And five were high in a chemical Intel is not authorized to release.” “Whether Intel is releasing this compound in violation of its permit, or whether it is formed by interaction of other Intel chemicals, we cannot say. “However, the listed symptoms for this fourth toxic chemical closely match the symptoms described by numerous Corraleños,” notes Marsh, a former chemist from Los Alamos Labs.

The Buckets cost around $120 at any hardware store. Many residents believe Intel ideally would pay for the best technologies to monitor the air of neighbors surrounding Intel facilities.

“They should also pay for health costs of people who are sick,” adds Rodriguez. “And they should pay for regular health monitoring of all residents who could possibly be affected.”

For now, the Bucket Brigade is the most powerful tool we have to hold Intel accountable to the communities it pollutes—and it is working. An anonymous donor recently pledged $50,000 towards the purchase of an (Fourier Transform Infrared) air monitor for Intel's pollution near Corrales. The donation came following a community meeting regarding SWOPs Bucket Brigade. And others have contributed since.

Back to Intel: What are we breathing?