Submitted to Shelton Blog by Healthy Mama
One of my latest but greatest pet peeves is that opposition to the biomass incinerators has been spun as a just a political issue. If you have lungs this will affect you. Incinerators are like lead paint, DDT, asbestos, and cigarettes. At one time, all were thought safe. We are behind the times on what is safe and what is not. And if you will excuse my rant, it is a major problem in this country. Our government caters to companies and corporations and not to its people. Our health and well being are put behind the desires of lobbyists for corporations. (And on a side note, watch Food Inc. or Future of Food to see more of what I am talking about.)
Here is some of what I have learned about PM2.5...
PM2.5 covers all particulate matter that is 2.5 microns and smaller. It, at its largest, is 1/30th the size of the human hair. It is not the dark clouds of black smoke and dust that can get in our lungs and make us cough. It is considerable smaller. It is primarily caused by combustion. It has the ability to go right through our lungs and into our bodies. The Journal of the American Medical Association says PM2.5 leads to large amounts of plaque in the arteries which in turn leads to heart attacks and other cardiovascular disease. Research shows even short term exposure to elevated levels can significantly contribute to heart disease. The Washington State Department of Ecology says, "In fact, studies have not been able to identify any levels of PM2.5 that is completely safe-that is has no health effects at all.” In California a study was done comparing young children growing up with high levels of emissions, and children growing up under low level conditions. Across the board they found that children who grew up in areas with high emissions had more asthma and breathing problems then children who grew up in low levels. Unfortunately, we can't just move away after our children's health starts to decline and expect things to get better. It is often a lifelong problem. Children are especially affected because children's lungs are growing and they are more active than adults. They take in more air then we do which in turn means they are taking in more PM.
The proposal for Adage plant in Mason County claims it will emit 98 tons per year of PM2.5. Sit back and think about how much that really is. Again, the largest PM2.5 is 1/30th the width of a hair!!! Now here is what strikes me, and is my main reason for starting my research. The Adage plant proposed for MC is a 60mega watt plant. The one that was proposed for Hamilton County was a 50 mega watt plant. They are the exact same technology. The following is from the two permit applications:
Here is some of what I have learned about PM2.5...
PM2.5 covers all particulate matter that is 2.5 microns and smaller. It, at its largest, is 1/30th the size of the human hair. It is not the dark clouds of black smoke and dust that can get in our lungs and make us cough. It is considerable smaller. It is primarily caused by combustion. It has the ability to go right through our lungs and into our bodies. The Journal of the American Medical Association says PM2.5 leads to large amounts of plaque in the arteries which in turn leads to heart attacks and other cardiovascular disease. Research shows even short term exposure to elevated levels can significantly contribute to heart disease. The Washington State Department of Ecology says, "In fact, studies have not been able to identify any levels of PM2.5 that is completely safe-that is has no health effects at all.” In California a study was done comparing young children growing up with high levels of emissions, and children growing up under low level conditions. Across the board they found that children who grew up in areas with high emissions had more asthma and breathing problems then children who grew up in low levels. Unfortunately, we can't just move away after our children's health starts to decline and expect things to get better. It is often a lifelong problem. Children are especially affected because children's lungs are growing and they are more active than adults. They take in more air then we do which in turn means they are taking in more PM.
The proposal for Adage plant in Mason County claims it will emit 98 tons per year of PM2.5. Sit back and think about how much that really is. Again, the largest PM2.5 is 1/30th the width of a hair!!! Now here is what strikes me, and is my main reason for starting my research. The Adage plant proposed for MC is a 60mega watt plant. The one that was proposed for Hamilton County was a 50 mega watt plant. They are the exact same technology. The following is from the two permit applications:
| Emissions | Mason County (60mw) | Hamilton County (50mw) | Difference In tons per year |
| PM (total particulate matter) | 137 | 274 | 137 |
| PM10 Note1 (PM 10 um particles) | 103 | 245 | 142 |
| PM2.5 Note2 (PM 2.5 um particulates) | 98 | 233 | 135 |
| Nox Note3 (nitrogen oxide and dioxide) | 240 | 249 | 9 |
| SO2 Note4 (sulfur dioxide) | 149 | 246 | 97 |
| H2SO4 (sulfuric acid) | 4 | 40 | 36 |
| CO (carbon monoxide) | 248 | 248 | 0 |
| VOCNote5 (volatile organic compounds) | 34 | 63 | 29 |
Notes:
- Dust, visible to the eye. Causes coughing, asthma, lung cancer and other cardiovascular disease.
- See description above.
- Nitrogen Dioxide is created by burning and is highly toxic causing serious lung damage with a delayed effect. It also causes shortness of breath, chest pain, wheezing, coughing, colds, flu and bronchitis.
- When combined with Nitrogen dioxide forms acid rain.
- Children exposed to ozone (NOx and VOC combined with sunlight) have a 3 times higher rate of asthmas than children in low ozone areas.
When the above was presented to ORCAA they told us the differences we found were "typos" and not intentional manipulations of the data. How would they know? Did they actually check the data, or just accept Adage's figures as truth? When we have agencies that are supposed to protect us, ignoring obvious discrepancies in the application, how can we trust they are doing the right thing by the people instead of the right thing for the company? This is one of the reasons I won't feel any better if this permit is approved by ORCAA or the EPA.
BTW- I am not a kook nor am I an outside agitator or have I been influenced by one. EVERYTHING written above is from my own research other then the typo comment, but I feel that it comes from a credible source.
PS - check out www.incineratorfreemasoncounty.org
PS - check out www.incineratorfreemasoncounty.org
The ORCAA permit will pass because the agency is limited to what the law defines as permissible. The problem is that law and the amounts/type of pollution it allows is antiquated and inadequate to the health of the community and our children. A court of law might grant citizens equitable relief, BUT ORCAA has *NO* equitable powers. It is restricted to what the LAW says and the law (in this instance) says Adage can pollute up to 15 micro-grams/litre of air on a daily basis...even more 20% of the time. Over time, this WILL kill a percentage of us and our children. It will make even more sick. It WILL destroy property values and stigmatize Mason County. Decent teachers and professionals will NOT want to relocate here. We will become a dirty backwater backward rural region treated just as Adage is treating us now.
ReplyDeleteAdage and the politicians who support its proposed bio-incineration of our forests have already become among the most hated officials in memory.