A recent Voice of the people letter questioned “poorly informed environmentalists’ claims” about the dangers of incineration. While the author, Richard Trzupek, identified himself as someone who measures air pollutants, I guess he doesn’t work for the Environmental Protection Agency.
In a draft report due out later this month, the EPA sounds the alarm on the dangers of dioxin, a known carcinogen. The report indicates that certain populations are exposed to particularly high levels of dioxin. The report states that among those at risk are people living near solid waste incinerators.
While Mr. Trzupek writes in the abstract about what pollutants incinerators may generate, the Northwest Incinerator is under a notice of violation from the EPA for violation of the Clean Air Act. The reality is that the incinerator is emitting heavy metals, hydrochloric acid and dioxin. Residents of Austin, Garfield and Humboldt Park would like the city to conduct a health study to determine what damage the Northwest Incinerator has already done.
