A 59-year-old San Antonio woman, Mary Lou Ornelias, featured in a Los Angeles Times series about trichloroethylene pollution died Sept. 3. Ornelias’ doctor attributed her death to liver cancer.
The March 30, 2006, story by Ralph Vartabedian was based on work of NRNS. It told how the Pentagon had blocked federal regulations that would clean up pollution from TCE, another name for trichloroethylene.
Ornelias was quoted and pictured in the page one article. She told how she used TCE to wash grease off aircraft parts at Kelly Air Force base in an atmosphere so rich with TCE that left her dizzy. Despite the likely connection to her disease, Ornelias made no monetary claim against the Air Force.
TCE is the most widespread water contaminant in America. Public health officials realized it was carcinogenic in the 1970s after it had contaminated soil and groundwater in every state. TCE vapors from contaminated underground water also accumulate in buildings, like radon gas.
The San Antonio Current published Ornelias’ obituary Sept. 11.
