Petition to Deny Norlite Aggregate LLC's Title V Air Permit and Part 373 Hazardous Waste Permit
Basil Seggos, Commissioner of the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation
WE ALL BREATHE WHAT THEY BURN:
DENY NORLITE’S PERMITS TO POLLUTE OUR AIR
Whereas, Norlite, LLC burns hazardous waste in an urban environmental justice area just 100 feet from a public housing complex and, whereas, burning toxic waste can be hazardous to health and well-being; and, whereas, fugitive dust from Norlite’s aggregate product contains deadly silicates and has been scientifically confirmed as present inside local houses, and as present on many if not all exposed surfaces near Norlite, including windows, air conditioners, cars and car windshields; and, whereas, Norlite also emits fugitive dust from its pollution control system, containing heavy metals such as lead and arsenic, as well as likely containing dioxins and furans; and, whereas, Norlite is a chronic airborne emitter of the neurotoxin mercury (over 50 lbs/year), and could not even meet the Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) modest requirements in test burns in 2020; and, whereas, mercury can adversely affect children’s ability to learn; and, whereas, community members including children are exposed to all of these toxins, and to noxious odors and dust, which compromises quality of life and renders symptoms of nausea and mucus membrane irritation; and, whereas, Norlite is a serial offender of national and NYS environmental laws; We call on the DEC to deny Norlite’s Air Title V and Part 373 Toxic Waste permits, in order to protect the health and welfare of the people Cohoes, Colonie, Troy and other surrounding cities and towns.
Sponsored by
To:
Basil Seggos, Commissioner of the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation
From:
[Your Name]
Whereas, Norlite, LCC burns hazardous waste in an urban environmental justice area just 100 feet from a public housing complex and, whereas, burning toxic waste can be hazardous to health and well-being; and, whereas, fugitive dust from Norlite’s aggregate product contains deadly silicates and has been scientifically confirmed as present inside local houses, and as present on many if not all exposed surfaces near Norlite, including windows, air conditioners, cars and car windshields; and, whereas, Norlite also emits fugitive dust from its pollution control system, containing heavy metals such as lead and arsenic, as well as likely containing dioxins and furans; and, whereas, Norlite is a chronic airborne emitter of the neurotoxin mercury (over 50 lbs/year), and could not even meet the Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) modest requirements in test burns in 2020; and, whereas, mercury can adversely affect children’s ability to learn; and, whereas, community members including children are exposed to all of these toxins, and to noxious odors and dust, which compromises quality of life and renders symptoms of nausea and mucus membrane irritation; and, whereas, Norlite is a serial offender of national and NYS environmental laws: We urge you to direct your agency to deny Norlite’s Air Title V and Part 373 Toxic Waste permits, in order to protect the health and welfare of the people Cohoes, Colonie, Troy and other surrounding cities and towns.