CONTACT: Sasha Tenenbaum
Senior Manager, Media and Public Engagement
stenenbaum@momscleanairforce.org
(917) 887-0146
Washington DC – Today Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan released proposed standards for the chemical manufacturing sector to protect people from the hazardous air pollution emitted by more than 200 of the largest, most toxic chemical and plastic manufacturing facilities in the country with more than 10 facilities located in Ohio.
In response to the proposal, Tracy Sabetta, Ohio State Coordinator for Moms Clean Air Force, released the following statement:
“Moms Clean Air Force applauds this significant and consequential move by EPA Administrator Regan. The petrochemical industry releases an extraordinary amount of toxic air pollution–and has done so for generations, with cruel disregard for the devastating impacts on communities around their facilities. People have paid with their health. Children are especially vulnerable to air pollution since their bodies are still developing and because they breathe in more air for their size compared to adults.
“Today’s announcement is an important step in what must become a comprehensive, rigorous and long-term approach to the scourge that is the petrochemical industry. Petrochemical facilities are commonly sited in communities that are impacted by multiple pollution sources contributing to a cumulative pollution burden and an elevated risk of asthma attacks, respiratory illness, neurological problems, adverse birth outcomes, and cancer. EPA has a fundamental duty to hold the petrochemical industry accountable and protect the health of people impacted by toxic pollution. There is no time to waste in tackling this glaring injustice.
“Stronger protections are especially urgent in light of the extensive and well documented history of non-compliance at these chemical manufacturing facilities. Of the 200 largest chemical manufacturing facilities around the country that would be covered by these standards, more than 50% are currently violating one or more of our nation’s environmental laws and more than 80% of facilities have been in noncompliance with some environmental laws in the past three years.
“Moms Clean Air Force is demanding the strongest safeguards to protect all people in front line communities–especially children–including the following components:
- Strict fenceline monitoring
- Increased flare efficiency and monitoring
- Enhanced leak detection and repair protocols
- Removal of ALL exemptions for startup, shutdown and malfunctions
- Robust precedent-setting community risk assessments
- Enhanced process controls
“Moms Clean Air Force will work with EPA to achieve the most durable, powerful and enforceable protections from petrochemical pollution for everyone.”
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