Upon some research online…

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019-7647

Comment ID

93620

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Individual

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Upon some research online for the listed contaminant emissions to the air from Associated Paving, here is a summary of what I found. All the air emission compounds listed in the "Contaminant emissions to the air from this facility" have adverse health effects to the human body when inhaled. Especially so on young developing children.
My residence is within 300 meters of Associated Paving facility. I have a family with two Elementary school children. I am very much concerned about my family's wellbeing, especially my children's. When winds are favorable, the air pollutants and particulate matter emitted from Associated Paving are constantly being blown towards our home. The odors are sickening to the point that it makes us nauseous. We cannot open our windows to get any fresh air during those conditions. My children cannot go outside to play when odors and pollution from AP are high.
I am strongly opposed to the approval of this ECA amendment application submitted by Associated Paving, for the addition of a Hot Mix Asphalt Silo and an increase of about 33% in annual production. This would mean that the air my family, and especially my children breathe, would be 33% more contaminated and their health would be 33% more endangered on top of what already is contaminated air from Associated Pavement. I demand that my children grow in similar air conditions as the rest of Burlington citizens live in – clean air and free of contaminated emissions.

Health Effects of contaminant emissions to the air from Associated Paving:

silica
Breathing in very small ("respirable") crystalline silica particles, causes multiple diseases, including silicosis, an incurable lung disease that leads to disability and death. Respirable crystalline silica also causes lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and kidney disease. Exposure to respirable crystalline silica is related to the development of autoimmune disorders and cardiovascular impairment. These occupational diseases are life-altering and debilitating disorders that annually affect thousands of workers across the United States.

benzo(a)pyrene
Long-term health effects can be deadly. Benzo[a]pyrene is a probable cancer-causing agent in humans.
There is some evidence that it causes skin, lung, and bladder cancer in humans and in animals.

benzene
The major effect of benzene from long-term exposure is on the blood. (Long-term exposure means exposure of a year or more.) Benzene causes harmful effects on the bone marrow and can cause a decrease in red blood cells, leading to anemia. It can also cause excessive bleeding and can affect the immune system, increasing the chance for infection.
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that benzene causes cancer in humans. Long-term exposure to high levels of benzene in the air can cause leukemia, cancer of the blood-forming organs.

formaldehyde
Exposure to formaldehyde can irritate the skin, throat, lungs, and eyes. Repeated exposure to formaldehyde can possibly lead to cancer.

nitrogen oxides
Elevated levels of nitrogen dioxide can cause damage to the human respiratory tract and increase a person's vulnerability to, and the severity of, respiratory infections and asthma.
Long-term exposure to high levels of nitrogen dioxide can cause chronic lung disease.