The story is a case in point of a corporation looking to save the profit bottom line at the cost of destroying both the environment and destroying people. The contributing negligence and malfeasance of public officials in this case show the need for broader education, and the teaching and enforcement of ethical standards.

This is a stellar piece of journalism. And a gripping human story that reveals much in many domains economical, cultural, ethical, and psychological.

This fits the profile of other whistleblower tragedies I've read. The legal obfuscation of otherwise clearly dangerous working procedures seems to be a universal industry reaction.

This is a sad story about people hurt by irresponsible focus on the bottom line, destined to be repeated until we learn: "The lesson from Slater: Unless cleanup contractors and everyone else involved are constantly and carefully watched, the job won't get done right."

Very detailed, and seems like a very accurate account of what happened based on his interview with the whistle blower. Excellent article.

"What no one told Slater and his crew -- or, apparently, Accornero -- was that when EPA decided how clean the Harbor Island Superfund site would have to be, the agency approved leaving lots of contamination in the ground. PCBs at more than four times the state standard? No problem. Arsenic, cadmium, chromium -- all were left in the ground at levels exceeding state standards." Why in the name of ***** would the EPA approve leaving lots of contamination at a SuperFund site; the public needs to be informed of such decisions AND ANY politician whose State or District has a SuperFund site ought to be getting EPA reports and analyzing them on a regular basis.

A well-researched piece about a construction worker who fell ill after a job at a contaminated site. Worker health is an important subject and a tricky one to cover. I saw little evidence tying Slater's diabetes and cancer to his work, which, admittedly, is a tough thing to show. Also, I would have been interested to hear what specific policies, programs, or other reforms could be enacted to prevent this kind of exposure.