By: Amanda Rowoldt, Ohio Field Organizer
Date: April 6, 2026
About: Docket #EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-0068-0001
To: Environmental Protection Agency
My name is Amanda Rowoldt, and I live in Franklin County in Dublin, Ohio. I’m the Ohio Field Organizer for Moms Clean Air Force and a mother of two young boys. I closely track pyrolysis incineration in Ohio, and about a year ago, I visited the site of a facility that uses pyrolysis incineration to incinerate plastic waste in Licking County, near the Village of Hebron. On my first visit, I could see billowing black smoke from miles away. When I arrived, I sat in my car, rolled down my window, and took a video. Within minutes, I felt a wave of nausea come over me, a stinging headache, and dizziness. I was legitimately frightened for my health.
As someone who recently battled cancer and is still enduring treatment, I was alarmed by the quick onset of negative physical symptoms. I immediately rolled up my window and drove away. I strongly oppose any and all efforts by EPA to remove pyrolysis incineration from the Other Solid Waste Incinerators Rule. It’s absolutely essential for the health and safety of Ohioans living near pyrolysis incineration facilities that pyrolysis remains classified under the Other Solid Waste Incinerators Rule and stays under the purview of Clean Air Act Section 129 pollution controls, monitoring, and reporting requirements.
For decades pyrolysis has been regulated according to Clean Air Act standards—and for good reason. Incinerating plastic in pyrolysis combustors releases dioxins, PFAS, flame retardants, benzene, formaldehyde, particulate matter, and heavy metals, such as mercury and arsenic. Exposure to this pollution increases the risk of cancers, birth defects, reproductive system damage, developmental issues, cardiovascular problems, respiratory impairment, and neurological problems in infants, children, and all people. Those who live closest to incineration facilities are impacted the most.
In Ohio, we have facilities using pyrolysis incineration in multiple regions, including in Akron in the northeast, Ironton in southern Ohio, and Union Township in Central Ohio. This means many Ohioans are currently in harm's way, but if this proposal is finalized, these Ohioans will face an even greater risk of exposure to extremely hazardous chemicals and pollutants. It’s imperative for the health and safety of these Ohioans that pyrolysis incineration remains fully subject to Clean Air Act solid waste incinerator protections.
As a mother, Ohio resident, and an advocate for healthy families, I strongly oppose any and all efforts to remove pyrolysis incineration from the Other Solid Waste Incinerators Rule. Thank you.