Dioxin levels drop 46%...

[John Thomas <jnthomas@infinet.com>]

According to an Ohio EPA report released on September 18, 1995
the ambient levels of dioxin in the air of southern Columbus decreased
by 46% over the levels measured just one year ago.  Since the
earlier measurements, the Columbus Waste-to-Energy facility, a trash
burning power plant, had ceased operation.  While the Ohio EPA would
not say that 100% of the decrease was due to the closing of the plant,
they had to admit that the closing was a factor in why the levels
have decreased.

During the testing in 1994, the Scioto Trail Elementary School was
found to have the highest levels of ambient dioxin in the county.
It was also the only location where 2378-TCDD was found.  In 1994 the
school was found to have on average 18.6 fentograms per cubic meter
of 2378-TCDD in the ambient air.  Todays measurement shows 4.1
fentograms per cubic meter of the same.  In addition, the TEQ dioxin
measurement at the school dropped 89% since 1994.

The Ohio EPA claims that other "unknown" sources are also contributing
to the dioxin levels on the South side of Columbus.  Because of
variations in the wind direction the Ohio EPA claims that the drop
in dioxin levels may not be attributed solely to the closing of the
Columbus Waste-to-Energy incinerator.

What the Ohio EPA needs to look at is two locations where dioxin
levels actually increased from the 1994 measurements.  These locations
were not those closest to the trash plant.  They were the locations
closest to the sewage sludge incinerators and the animal rendering
plant.  Both of these facilities have never been tested for dioxin
emissions.  Both are located approximately one half mile north of the
closed trash plant, and are between the trash plant and the site where
the monitors were placed.

According to a 1988 Battelle Memorial institute study 70% to 80% of the
dioxin on the South side of Columbus was attributed to the Waste-to-
Energy plant.  20% to 30% could be attributed to the sewage sludge
and animal rendering plant.

What the Ohio EPA has just done is to provided evidence that Battelle may
have been correct with this 1988 study.  But to make certain the Ohio
EPA needs to conduct testing at these other two facilities.

With Respect, in Gentleness and Peace.


John Thomas
http://www.infinet.com/~jnthomas/computer_revolution