11. SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES

New US rules aim to crack down on toxic air pollution by steelmakers

New US rules aim to crack down on toxic air pollution by steelmakers
Written by ZJbTFBGJ2T

New US rules aim to crack down on toxic air pollution by steelmakers  The Guardian US

New US rules aim to crack down on toxic air pollution by steelmakers

New EPA Rules Aim to Reduce Toxic Air Pollution from US Steelmakers

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has introduced new rules to address toxic air pollution from US steelmakers. These rules aim to limit the release of pollutants such as mercury, benzene, and lead, which have been poisoning the air in neighborhoods surrounding steel plants for a long time.

Targeting Contaminants from Steel Facilities’ Coke Ovens

The new rules specifically target contaminants released by steel facilities’ coke ovens. The gas emitted from these ovens poses an individual cancer risk of 50 in 1,000,000 in the air around steel plants, which is considered dangerous for children and individuals with underlying health issues.

Environmental Justice Concerns

Although the chemicals released from the plants do not travel far, they have had devastating effects on public health in low-income neighborhoods located near steel facilities. This issue is seen as an environmental justice concern.

Importance of the Rules

Patrice Simms, Earthjustice’s vice-president for healthy communities, emphasized the importance of these rules in safeguarding communities and workers near coke ovens. He stated that people have long faced significant health risks, including cancer, due to coke oven pollution.

Coke Ovens and Their Hazards

Coke ovens are chambers used to heat coal and produce coke, a hard deposit used in steel production. The gas produced by these ovens is classified by the EPA as a known human carcinogen and contains hazardous chemicals, heavy metals, and volatile compounds.

Health Issues Linked to the Chemicals

Many of the chemicals released from coke ovens are associated with severe health issues, including eczema, respiratory problems, and digestive lesions.

Previous Inaction and Lawsuits

Critics argue that despite increasing evidence of the gas’s toxicity, the EPA has done little to address the pollution. Environmental groups have been advocating for new limits and better monitoring, leading Earthjustice to sue the EPA over the issue in 2019.

Impact on Communities

Coke ovens have particularly affected cities in the upper midwest industrial regions and Alabama. For example, a coke plant in Detroit has violated air quality standards numerous times and is currently facing litigation alleging that sulfur dioxide from coke oven gas has harmed nearby residents in a predominantly Black neighborhood. However, the new rules do not cover this specific contaminant.

New Requirements and Elimination of Loopholes

The rules, published on Friday, mandate “fenceline” testing around the plants. If a contaminant exceeds the new limits, steelmakers must identify the source and take action to lower the levels. The rules also eliminate loopholes that the industry previously used to avoid reporting emissions, such as exemptions during malfunctions.

Industry Concerns and Earthjustice’s Response

Testing conducted outside a Pittsburgh plant operated by US Steel, one of the largest producers in the country, found benzene levels that were 10 times higher than the new limits. A spokesperson for US Steel expressed concerns about the implementation of the rules, stating that they would have unprecedented costs and potentially unintended adverse environmental impacts. However, Adrienne Lee, an Earthjustice attorney, believes that meeting the limits should not be difficult based on industry data provided to the EPA.

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Fuente: theguardian.com

 

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