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Commissioners ask staff to study toxic‑paint risks before SS United States reefing
Summary
After public testimony that the SS United States is coated with zinc chromate containing hexavalent chromium, Okaloosa County commissioners directed staff to bring a focused agenda item and review permit compliance and testing options.
Okaloosa County commissioners on Sept. 2 heard multiple public speakers warn that the proposed sinking of the ocean liner SS United States for an artificial reef could release toxic coatings into Gulf waters, and commissioners asked staff to return with a formal agenda item to investigate the claims.
Environmental advocates and preservationists told the Board of County Commissioners that the ship is coated with neon‑yellow zinc chromate primer that contains hexavalent chromium, a compound they said is water‑soluble and highly toxic. Justin Ruby, of the SS United States Preservation Foundation, told the commission, "Hexavalent chromium is highly water soluble, making it very mobile in the environment. This contamination will persist for decades." Steven…
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