Regulate Alterra To Stop Them From Polluting Our Air
Pyrolysis is the process of burning plastic in the absence of oxygen and turning it into fuel (plastic-to-fuel). Alterra Energy is a plastic incinerator that burns plastic and turns it into fuel. Due to there being oxygen in plastics, the pyrolysis chamber is not completely oxygen free as the plastic is burned in the unit. Plus some plastic is converted to gas, which is combusted by a vapor combustion unit. When burned, plastics release toxic chemicals as emissions into the air. Plastic-to-fuel places a heavy burden on communities where the waste processing site is located.
The few stack tests that have been conducted confirm the Alterra’s process creates a range of carcinogenic and toxic pollutants such as dioxin/furans, benzene, vinyl chloride, hydrogen chloride, and more. Most of these chemicals are known carcinogens and highly toxic. Exposure to these can cause coughing, dizziness, headache, nausea, irritation of eyes and nose, difficulty breathing, and much more. Alterra has been operating for years and have not kept any records to prove they can produce the required amount of fuel. In 2024, Alterra shipped over 175,000 pounds of hazardous waste off-site which is associated with several health hazards.
The chemicals that Alterra is releasing are:
Vinyl Chloride
- Known carcinogen and mutagen
- Very high toxicity
- Extreme flammability, explosivity and reactivity
- Studies done on workers were called a “red flag”
- Exposure (even in very small amounts) can cause skin irritation, frostbite/blisters, dizziness, nausea, headache, visual disturbance, loss of coordination, cardiac arrhythmias, respiratory failure/RADS, liver damage, cancer of liver and lymphatic system, Raynaud’s phenomenon; fertility concerns and developmental disorders
Acetaldehyde
- Known carcinogen
- High toxicity; extremely high flammability, reactivity
- Damages DNA and muscle proteins; linked to greater risk of Alzheimer’s
- Irritant of skin, eyes, mucous membranes, throat, and respiratory tract (even at low concentrations)
- Exposure can cause headache, nausea, vomiting, facial flushing, heart palpitations; symptoms may be delayed
1,3-Butadiene/Vinylethylene
- Known carcinogen, suspected teratogen
- Low toxicity, high flammability, very high reactivity
- Able to freely form ozone (O3) in atmosphere
- Linked to cardiovascular disease, leukemia, cancers
- Exposure can cause irritation to eyes, nose, throat, lungs; damage to CNS - distorted vision, vertigo, fatigue, headache, low heart rate/BP, loss of consciousness
Toluene/Methylbenzene
- Not classified as a carcinogen
- High toxicity, high flammability/explosivity
- Exposure can cause irritation to eyes, skin, respiratory tract; heart arrhythmias, headache, nausea/vomiting, dizziness, balance/coordination issues, tremors, amnesia, hallucinations, seizures, coma, loss of color vision
Benzene
- Known carcinogen and teratogen
- Very high toxicity, high flammability, high reactivity
- Linked to cardiovascular disease, damage to immune system, irregular menstrual cycle, lymphoma, anemia, leukemia and other blood/bone marrow disorders
- No “safe” exposure limit; breathing equipment needed
- Exposure can cause eye irritation, coughing, headaches, dizziness, confusion, irregular heartbeat, tremors, nausea, loss of consciousness
Letter Campaign by
Akron, Ohio