Ohio EPA declares risk of cancer; school closed
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Associated Press

Addyston, Ohio- State environmental regulators said toxic emissions
from a plastics plant along the Ohio River pose an increased cancer
risk for residents, and an elementary school across the street was
ordered closed.

A seven-month analysis of air quality in Addyston, about 20 miles west
of Cincinnati, found that the cancer risk for lifelong and long-term
residents is 50 times greater because of two chemicals emitted into
the air by Lanxess Corp., the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
said Monday.

The study also found unacceptable risks of heart and blood problems,
along with birth defects.
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The state EPA has ordered the plant to reduce emissions of the two
chemicals: acrylonitrile, a raw material used in making plastics, and
1,3-butadiene.

Officials in the Three Rivers School District responded to the study
by closing the Meredith Hitchens Elementary School across the street
from the plant. The 370 students at the school will be transferred to
other elementary schools in the district.

The plant has operated in the town since 1952 under various owners,
including Monsanto and Bayer.

"We have to review their findings, and compare them with our own data
to try and understand what these numbers mean," said plant manager
Sandy Marshall. "We feel we are in compliance with our permits and
[that we] meet federal standards."

Marshall said he doesn't believe employees of the plant are in danger
from fumes.

The state EPA began investigating the air quality in Addyston after
Lanxess had three accidents in five months, which released thousands
of pounds of acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene into the air.

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