Air pollution is a widespread problem, caused by a variety of sources. However, there are some places where air pollution is emitted in large quantities, and with more dangerous components. In particular, industrial plants release large amounts of harmful pollutants such as oxides or nitrogen, carbon monoxide, ozone/volatile organic compounds, sulfur dioxide, and lead. Hundreds of tons of these pollutants are released each year in New York. Additionally, power plants are New York's leading source of industrial air pollution, producing ozone-smog, particulate matter, acid rain, mercury poisoning and contributing to global warming. It is estimated that 1,800 New York State residents and 30,000 people nationwide die prematurely each year due to fine particles, or soot, from power plants. Facilities that emit air pollution in New York State, unless specifically exempted, must obtain a Title V permit, a state facility permit, or a registration certificate.
Garbage incinerators release a wide variety of pollutants, including over 25 different metals, over 200 organic chemicals, particulates, acid gases, nitrogen dioxide and carbon dioxide. Even when equipped with the “best available control technology” or when meeting the “lowest achievable emission rate” significant amounts of pollutants with known human health impacts are released. That is why the American Public Health Association voted in 1990 to oppose the incineration of solid waste in areas which already violate air standards (non-attainment areas). Roughly one-third (by weight) of the solid waste burned will end up as ash which contains heavy metals and other hazardous materials. Waste-to-Energy (WTE) facilities are incinerators that burn solid waste at very high temperatures to generate steam or electricity. As an incinerator, WTEs release mercury and dioxin into the air and produce ash containing heavy metals. Waste-to-energy facilities process nearly 30 million tons of trash each year.
Medical waste incinerators are operated by hospitals, medical institutions, nursing homes and pet crematories to burn medical and biological wastes. Medical waste incinerators accept medical waste that has been contaminated with blood or body parts and could carry communicable diseases. Due to the combustion of large amounts of plastics, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found them to be a leading source of dioxin and mercury into the environment.
Citizens have the right to know what toxic chemicals are being released into their communities. In 1986, a law was passed to inform communities and citizens of chemical hazards in their areas. The law made facilities report to the government what chemicals they stored, which would help the government and community respond to chemical spills or emergencies. Also the law made facilities report to the government when they released certain toxic chemicals into the air, land and water. These reports cover 650 chemicals and also apply to the amount of chemicals that companies recycle, treat, burn or otherwise dispose of on-site and off-site.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and State governments collect this information and then make the information available to the public in Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) reports. This information is vital for citizens to know what is contaminating their communities and to hold companies accountable for how they manage toxic substances. The public can get written TRI reports from the EPA. There are also several websites that provide the information from TRI reports; by entering their zip codes, citizens can find what toxic chemicals are released and what companies release them. These websites are listed under the links page.