Is being environmentally friendly synonymous with being safe from cancer?
The recent approval granted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to Chevron for producing fuel derived from recycled plastics has stirred controversy. This decision came despite findings from a comprehensive 203-page risk assessment indicating an elevated risk of cancer among those exposed to the new chemical components. Some community members and environmental organizations argue that the EPA’s actions were inadequate.
Appealing for Caution from the EPA
On August 2nd, various environmental groups, including the Environmental Defense Fund, Moms Clean Air Force, and Sierra Club, submitted a formal letter (pdf) to the EPA, expressing concern that Chevron was granted approval prematurely. They assert that the EPA might have downplayed the health concerns revealed by the risk assessment.
These concerned groups highlighted the potential dangers of Chevron’s plants that incorporate plastic-based chemicals, such as a refinery in Pascagoula, Mississippi. They argue that nearby residents could face an increased likelihood of cancer due to exposure to toxic emissions through smokestacks, airports utilizing plastic-based fuel, and consumption of contaminated fish.
The letter’s authors also raised other points of contention, including:
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