Questions and Concerns About the Incinerator
That Have Been Brought to County and State Officials
Health and the Environment
Health impact study
Is there a time frame about completing a study on the impact the proposed incinerator will have on the health of the members of our community?
Air quality standards
To Maryland Department of the Environment: In addition to the one-page handout wherein it describes the new EPA NAAQS for lead in the U.S., I attach the EPA's "October 2008 Final National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Lead - General Overview." On page 9 it shows the "Source Sectors of Lead Emissions in the U.S." Sources of lead emissions include:
- Leaded aviation gas used in piston-engine aircraft (45%)
- Metal industries (23%)
- Manufacturing industries (14%)
- Waste incineration (8%)
- Boilers --industrial, commercial, institutional, utility (6%)
- Other (small) categories (5%)
And due to Maryland's dubious distinction of being the home of 3 trash incinerators, I would like to know where to receive the information about lead testing which has been completed in compliance with these new standards.
Follow-up question: To MDE: Would you be so kind as to direct me who to contact in your office about whether the trash incinerators in this state have been tested for compliance with the new lead NAAQS? I understand the U.S. national ambient air quality standard for lead (the primary standard) in the air has changed from 1.5 µg/cubic meter per quarter to 0.15 µg/cubic meter per quarter, effective January 12, 2009. (Please see attached.) Mr. Blake from the NMWDA has not answered my question about what (if any) lead air monitoring has been completed on the trash incinerators in Maryland to assure they comply with the new lead standard. I also wonder how Frederick Commissioner David Gray can state the emissions from the proposed trash incinerator for Frederick "...will be the tightest emission levels in the entire world." Perhaps you could please help me understand the basis for such a comment.
I understand that the U.S. EPA already revised, effective January 12, 2009, the U.S. national ambient air quality standard for lead (the primary standard) in the air from 1.5 µg/m3 per quarter to 0.15 µ/m3 per quarter. Has there been lead air monitoring of all of the incinerators in Maryland to ensure they all comply with the new lead NAAQS? (See PDF.)
