The EPA has objected to Nucor's permits in response to petitions filed by Zen-Noh Grain Corporation, a company that owns a grain elevator next to the new plant site and who is concerned the air pollutants from the plant could harm the elevator's workers and contaminate the grain. Louisiana Environmental Action Network and Sierra Club also petitioned EPA to object to Nucor's permits but EPA will not address the issues raised in these petitions until LDEQ has resolved EPA's present objections.
The Relationship between the environment and the economy is positive, that is, improving the environment also improves the economy. States with good environments have better economies than those with polluted environments. For example, between 1988 and 1992 the pollution levels in Louisiana were cut in half because industry spent money to reduce its pollution and, at the same time, 25,000 jobs were created in the manufacturing sector alone. The industry spending was for equipment, so local business did better, and workers were hired to operate the equipment.People and business want to locate in clean environments and not in polluted areas. Once here people start new businesses and expand existing ones. By investing in protecting the environment we are investing in the economy and ultimately in the people of Louisiana
-Paul Templet
Former Secretary of LDEQ
Today the Environmental Protection Agency announced they issued Mercury and Air Toxics Standards(MATS) for Power Plants. The Standards cover air emissions of Mercury, Arsenic, Nickel, Selenium, Cyanide and Acid Gases from Power Plants.
The latest "Watch Lists" available from the EPA are for September and October 2011. In September and October 2001, Louisiana had a total of 51 facilities on the Environmental Protection Agency "Watch List" for violations of the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Resource Conservation and Recovery (hazardous materials) Act.
Evaluation of EPA Air Monitoring Results from Venice, LA for the period of April 28, 2010 - May 7, 2010
by Wilma Subra
Hydrogen Sulfide
Odor Threshold for Hydrogen Sulfide: 0.5 ppb
Physical Reaction Symptoms: 5 to 10 ppb
Acute Physical Health Symptoms:
Irritates eyes
Irritates nose, throat and lungs
Nausea, dizziness, confusion, headache
| Venice Hydrogen Sulfide Air Monitoring Results for the period of April 28, 2010 - May 7, 2010 | |
| Date: | Hydrogen Sulfide (parts per billion): |
| April 28 | None Detected |
| April 29 | No Data |
| April 30 | No Data |
| May 1 | No Data |
| May 2 | 30 ppb |
| May 3 | 1,192 ppb |
| May 4 | 46 ppb |
| May 5 | 1,010 ppb |
| May 6 | 1,000 ppb |
| May 7 | 280 ppb |
The results of the Hydrogen Sulfide air monitoring in Venice indicates that the concentration from May 2 through May 7 exceeded the odor threshold and Physical Health Symptom concentrations. The Hydrogen Sulfide concentrations on May 3, 5 & 6 exceeded the Physical Reaction Symptoms concentrations by a factor of 100 to 120 times. The Physical Reaction Symptoms have been reported by individuals living and visiting in Venice.
Volatile Organic Chemicals
Louisiana Ambient Air Standards for Volatile Organic Chemicals:
a's environmental problems.
