Photo: Brian Larson

Permit allows company to pollute urban area

Release Date:  Friday, October 03, 2008

Details:

The group has been involved in two permits for the Veolia (formerly Onyx or Trade Waste) hazardous incinerator in Sauget.  The incinerator has operated for 12 years without an operating permit and has a history of unlawful emissions, fires and explosions.  A hazardous waste incinerator should never have been allowed to locate in the midst of an urban population.  Such facilities release lead, mercury and dioxins among other pollutants.  We requested that EPA declare East St. Louis an environmental justice community and perform a health risk assessment in conjunction with its operating permit because there is subsistence fishing at Frank Holten State Park.  EPA performed the assessment and agreed.  The new permit greatly reduces the amount of mercury allowed to be emitted, but it allows the company to continue operating despite the fact that it has not demonstrated that it can comply with the law.  We are reviewing the permit to decide whether to appeal.