The Southington Town Council has passed a resolution opposing the collection and incineration of biomedical waste at the Reworld facility in Bristol and has sent a formal letter to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to deny Reworld’s application. Southington has asked DEEP and the Connecticut Department of Public Health “to conduct a thorough review of the potential health and safety risks associated with this proposal, including the implementation of continuous emissions monitoring, and to take necessary actions to protect the residents of Southington and the surrounding communities” and “to engage with local stakeholders… in assessing the […]

Following a thorough investigation into widespread noise complaints, Reworld was served with two notices of violation for exceeding the maximum sound levels set forth in state regulation and has been ordered to comply with state regulation. These notices confirm that Reworld has not been adhering to its operating permit, at least as regards noise pollution. Reworld has appealed these notices, denying — incredibly — that their facility produces any noise that is audible beyond the property line. For more information, see NBC’s report: Stop the sound: Health district orders Bristol company to reduce noise levels – NBC Connecticut.

Eyewitness News has run a story on the controversy the draft permits have unleashed:Proposal to burn medical waste at Bristol plant raising concerns from residents.

In addition to the air and noise pollution, the draft permits allow the importation of infectious waste up to biosafety level 4, (BSL 4) creating the risk of the spread of disease in workers and community members. Biosafety level 4 classification is reserved for highly contagious pathogens that cause severe to fatal disease and for which there are no effective treatments or vaccine. Read more at the Hartford Courant:Consultant sees ‘occupational health issue’ in permit for burning medical waste at CT incinerator.