Re: Carolina Solite

["Sam McClintock" <scmcclintock@ipass.net>]

  > Could you please tell me more about the BIF hazwaste 
  > incinerator?  What does BIF stand for?  Do they have anything 
  > to do with BFI?  When Carolina Solite appeals for a new permit 
  > can this permit be opposed by citizens?  Do you still work with 
  > the state air quality board?  or did you?  I would like to 
  > support Joann Almond in her work.  It's a good thing and I may 
  > well live downwind.
  
  First, Joann has been on Solite's back for around a decade now, and is
  getting hit by slap suits left and right.  She is appearing in court
  this Monday after having two suits filed by Solite already dropped. 
  And for you activists TAKE NOTE:  These slap suits are occuring AFTER a
  consent decree was reached with the community group.  This Monday's
  request for summary judgement against Joann will also probably be
  dismissed, but Joann can use all the moral and public support any and
  all can give her.
  
  Because of the recent order for Solite to stop burning waste from the
  permit violation, there is now a huge hole for people to help and
  support her efforts and get focus back on this pit in the ground.  The
  following are the specifics for address and contact info:
  
  Ms. Joann Almond
  Stanly Citizens Opposed to Toxic Chemical Hazards (SCOTCH)
  28836 Canton Rd.
  Albemarle, North Carolina  28001
  (704) 982-3300
  (704) 982-9286 (fax)
  jalmond231@aol.com
  
  I used to do unpaid public speaking for North Carolina's Waste
  Management Board (which was how I met Joann); lasted a year and I have
  not worked with actively with the state since then.  I have worked with
  a few groups in protesting the weakening of various environmental rules
  or the lack of action on fisheries regulation.
  
  As for BIFs, I did quite a bit of research on them for USEPA and helped
  write some of the BIF rules.  My opinions of haz waste combustion will
  differ markedly from other's on this conference.  BIF stands for
  hazardous waste combustion in Boilers and Industrial Furnaces; it
  basically means the combustion of waste in units that were not
  originally designed for that purpose and that have a primary purpose
  beyond the combustion of that waste.  
  
  A good example would be a fuel-oil fired boiler in a chemical plant. 
  The boiler may have been originally designed to burn fuel oil to
  produce steam the facility needs.  The chemical plant may have a
  high-BTU liquid waste stream composed of organic compounds that are
  both toxic (benzene, toluene, xylenes, etc.) and non-toxic.  They find
  that the combustion characteristics are similar to fuel oil and saves
  them the cost of transport and disposal of that waste stream plus the
  cost of fuel oil.  The BIF rules provides a set of guidelines for
  facilities to adhere to for this type of activity.  IN MANY CASES this
  is a good idea and produces LESS pollution than transport, storage and
  recycling.  In some cases, it is not.  I am a big fan for judging each
  activity by its own merits, you'll find many that just want to stop
  incineration of haz waste.
  
  The BIF rules also encompass commercial haz waste incinerators, such as
  cement kilns that take haz waste.  I believe this was a mistake and
  these sources should have been fully licensed under RCRA guidelines,
  etc.  
  
  Lot of opinions on BIF and you'll find a lot answers coming out.  I'll
  stand by for technical responses.  
  
  >      I am interested in finding out about the potential for 
  > dioxin contamination from a local manufacturer named Baxter Health 
  > Care here in Marion, NC.  They manufacture plastic IV bags and 
  > tubing.  I have had reports of people getting acutely ill just 
  > driving past this location.  Given their business should we be 
  > concerned about dioxin or phthalates (sp) from this location.  I 
  > have been able to get little or no information about the 
  > industrial emissions in McDowell County despite filing FOIA's.  
  > Any help would be appreciated.
  
  There should be a lot of material on the facility.  In addition to
  their air quality permit, if they emit toxics they should have an air
  dispersion model on file.  Also, all facilities in North Carolina were
  required to file an air emission summary for their plants by end of
  June 97, which will become public record after it is reviewed.
  
  I'll be out of town next week, but when I get back will try to help you
  dig these files out.
  
  Sam McClintock
  scmcclintock@ipass.net