“Goodyear Chemical Plant in Niagara Falls Exposing Community to Dangerous Carcinogen: Urgent Action Needed”

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company’s chemical plant in Niagara Falls, New York, is under scrutiny for releasing a bladder carcinogen into nearby neighborhoods at levels up to seven times the state’s safety guideline. Recent computer modeling conducted by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) using Goodyear’s data on emissions of the chemical ortho-toluidine has raised concerns among advocates and residents.

Anne Rabe, a volunteer with the group Don’t Waste New York, has criticized the DEC and the New York State Department of Health for allowing the community to be exposed to such dangerous chemicals. The DEC issued a notice of violation to Goodyear in July 2023 for deficient pollution-control devices that allowed ortho-toluidine and another chemical, diphenylamine, to contaminate the air outside the plant.

The DEC has stated that it is requiring Goodyear to implement state-of-the-art pollution control technology to meet current air toxics standards. However, the timeline for these improvements has not been finalized, with Goodyear estimating it could take up to two years to complete the process.

The affected area includes nearly 4,000 residents, with a significant percentage being low-income, people of color, and children. The EPA’s Environmental Justice Screen ranks the area in the 99th percentile for the state and the 94th percentile for the nation in terms of toxic air releases.

Goodyear’s Niagara Falls plant has a history of using ortho-toluidine, a known human carcinogen, in its operations. The plant has been linked to one of the nation’s worst occupational outbreaks of bladder cancer, with at least 78 workers developing the disease since the mid-1980s.

Advocates are calling for urgent action from regulatory agencies, including an emergency order from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Section 303 of the Clean Air Act. The EPA is currently evaluating the request and considering next steps to address the situation.

The community surrounding the Goodyear plant remains at risk of exposure to harmful chemicals, with concerns raised about the lack of awareness among residents. Efforts are ongoing to hold Goodyear accountable for its emissions and to protect the health and safety of the affected population.

The story highlights the importance of environmental justice and the need for swift action to address pollution sources that pose a significant risk to public health. Donations from readers support the ongoing work of organizations like Inside Climate News in reporting on critical environmental issues and holding polluters accountable.