BRISTOL, CT – Bristol Residents for Clean Air condemns the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s (DEEP) recommendation to approve, unmodified, the draft permits for Reworld Inc.’s waste incinerator, which seeks to burn biomedical waste (BMW) at 170 Enterprise Drive, Bristol. DEEP’s post-hearing brief disregards significant public health, safety, and environmental concerns raised by local residents, experts, and environmental advocates during the public comment period.
The proposal has faced overwhelming opposition, as evidenced by the volume of comments submitted, the public testimony during the November 2024 hearing, and extensive concerns raised by residents and advocacy organizations.
DEEP’s brief fails to address any of the deficiencies identified in the draft permits during the public hearing process, including emissions monitoring, noise pollution, community safety, and environmental justice compliance.
Key Issues Ignored in DEEP’s Brief
- Lack of Continuous Monitoring for Hazardous Pollutants
DEEP has neglected calls for continuous emissions monitoring for highly toxic pollutants such as mercury, dioxins, furans, and PFAS. Evidence indicates that once-yearly stack testing underestimates actual emissions by significant margins and fails to capture spikes during startup, shutdown, and malfunctions. Continuous monitoring is essential to ensure compliance with emissions limits. - Insufficient Noise Pollution Controls
DEEP has not responded to community complaints and documented permit violations relating to excessive noise from the incinerator. Noise pollution has been linked to severe health impacts, including metabolic disruption, cardiovascular disease, and premature death. DEEP’s brief does not propose enforceable mitigation measures, leaving residents vulnerable to ongoing harm. - Biosafety and Pathogen Risks
The draft permits inadequately address the unique risks posed by biomedical waste, including the potential release of pathogens from handling, storage, and processing. DEEP’s brief does not include robust containment measures and biosafety protocols necessary to prevent public health emergencies nor any requirements to comply with federal standards for handling and transporting such materials. This oversight puts workers, first responders, and the broader community at risk in the event of spills or accidents during transport and processing. - Failure to Align with Federal Standards
The draft permits rely on outdated state regulations that are less stringent than federal Clean Air Act requirements. For example, DEEP allows excessive emissions during startup, shutdown, and malfunction periods for significantly longer than federal limits. This failure to abide by mandatory federal minimums undermines public health.
Call to State Legislators for Action
“This decision shows a disregard for public health and safety,” said Bristol resident Jodie Maro. “DEEP’s approval of these permits would allow Reworld to operate with inadequate safeguards, exposing our community to unnecessary risks. We call on state legislators to take immediate action to address these regulatory gaps.”
Bristol Residents for Clean Air urges Connecticut lawmakers to introduce and pass legislation to:
- Require continuous emissions monitoring for hazardous pollutants, including mercury, dioxins, furans, and PFAS, for all waste incinerators.
- Regulate any facility that burns BMW as a medical waste incinerator.
- Establish strict and enforceable noise pollution standards to protect public health.
- Align state regulations with federal Clean Air Act standards.
- Strengthen oversight of BMW, including biosafety and worker protection measures, consistent with federal standards.
“We need legislative reform to ensure that all residents are protected from the risks associated with medical waste incineration,” added Jodie Maro.
Next Steps
Bristol Residents for Clean Air is committed to working with state legislators and regulatory agencies to develop and implement stronger protections for our community. Residents can contact their state representatives to demand immediate action on these critical issues.
For more information, please visit https://www.facebook.com/BristolResidentsforCleanAir or https://bristolresidents.org.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jodie Maro, Coordinator
Phone: 860-550-3581
Email: contactus@bristolresidents.org
Date: January 16, 2025
About Bristol Residents for Clean Air
Bristol Residents for Clean Air is a grassroots organization dedicated to protecting public health in Bristol, Connecticut and surrounding communities. We advocate for a healthy environment free of air and noise pollution for all residents.