Martin County Residents 10 Years After Slurry Spill

In 2000, a dam at a Massey Energy mine in Martin County failed, and released more than 3 million gallons of coal waste into area creeks. Drinking water was contaminated and the event was a traumatic one for the affected communities. In the aftermath of the spill, sociologists studied the area and found residents had little trust in their officials, the federal government, and their drinking water.Earlier this year, UK Professor of Sociology Shaunna Scott took a group of students back to Martin County to look at whether perceptions have changed in the decade since the disaster. She discussed the recent survey results with WFPL’s Erica Peterson today on Here and Now .