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BCAAT Letter to the Editor
(Published in the News Herald and The Connection)
BCAAT TO APPEAL VISKASE PERMIT
On March 14th, the state of Tennessee granted a permit to allow Viskase to expand
their Loudon plant and greatly increase noxious air pollutants into the air we breathe.
This was done in spite of strong objections from residents concerned about their health,
quality of life, and property values.
This permit would allow Viskase to dump an additional 440 tons of pollutants into Loudon
air, over and above actual current levels. These pollutants include air toxics, ozone
forming chemicals, and strong odor producing substances.
Carbon disulfide, a neurological toxin, will increase by 220 tons per year. In addition
to its neurological toxicity, it is a volatile organic compound (VOC) which causes
increased ozone levels. Loudon does not achieve current federal standards for ozone,
which causes breathing problems for our citizens. Furthermore, this chemical has a very
offensive odor.
Hydrogen sulfide, widely known as "rotten egg gas", will increase by 144 tons per year.
This strongly odiferous substance will certainly add to the odor problems experienced by
Loudon residents and surrounding areas.
Power plant emissions of nitrous oxides (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) will each increase
by nearly 40 tons per year. Nitrous oxides cause ozone pollution and sulfur dioxide is a
lung irritant which causes acid rain.
These pollutants contribute to breathing and cardiovascular difficulties of Loudon County
residents. Further, odor from this pollution clearly detracts from quality of life in our
communities. As such, this increase in pollution will negatively impact both economic
growth and the property values of our homes and businesses. This can offset the economic
benefits of the 39 jobs Viskase predicts will be created.
We believe these are unacceptable tradeoffs. Therefore BCAAT will formally appeal this
permit to require that Viskase significantly lower this pollution.
Mike Crosby
President
Breathe Clean Air Action Team
Viskase Expansion Update
(March 2011 Newsletter)
"The major concerns with the request are the additional
noxious odors that will result from increased pollutants
released into the air. In the past few years, foul odors
in our area have been reduced due to improved federal
requirements that mandated changes in industrial
equipment and procedures. However, the requested Viskase
expansion is expected to take their levels of noxious
odors back up to previous levels."
Viskase Expansion
(January 2011 Newsletter)
Welcome...
Breathe Clean Air Action Team
BCAAT, Inc. is:
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An all-volunteer, non-profit
501(c)(3) organization of concerned citizens.
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Dedicated to improving the air
quality in our community.
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Actively seeking ways to reduce
the levels of chemical toxins, carcinogens, and
offensive odors released into the air by industry
and other sources that affect local air quality.
Our Goals:
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Bring the Loudon County area
into full compliance with federal clean air standards.
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Influence local and state
government to take action to reduce air pollution.
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Reduce risk of disease from poor
air quality through actions to create a healthier environment.
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Generate public support for actions
that will improve our air quality.
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Support responsible economic
development that does not degrade air quality.
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Build public awareness of air
quality facts about Loudon County and the surrounding area.
Let's Protect our Blue Skies and the Air we Breathe
"We've
got a clean-air problem in Tennessee. We need to face that."
"A majority of Tennesseans live in counties that will soon be in
violation of the federal clean air standards. We have a short
period of time during the next several years to meet these standards."
Senator
Lamar Alexander on clean air
"So let's leave some blue up above us
Let's leave some green on the ground
It's only ours to borrow, let's save some for tomorrow
Leave it and pass it on down"
Pass It on Down- by the country music group -
Alabama
"The air is precious...for
all things share the same breath - the animals, the trees, the man...
the air shares its spirit with all the life it supports"
Chief Seattle, of the Suquamish Indians of Washington State (1786-1866)
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