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Folks In the Alpena News today a front page article is the Lafarge mercury article by John Flesher of the Associated Press. It has appeared in a number of state newspapers already and will be distributed nationally early next month. Do not try and access it from the Alpena news website. You will not find it. For some reason, anything negative about Alpena or Lafarge does make it to their online version. Below is a letter submitted to the editor of the Alpena News. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Letter to the Editor Alpena News MDEQ documents on mercury speciation show that the emissions from Lafarge are the most toxic and dangerous form of mercury. It tends to fall close rather than be carried away by the winds. Why an elected city official continues to take pride in his defense of the facility that is now the number two (2) emitter of mercury in this state concerns us. That makes us wonder who he represents. Improvements by #1 will reduce their emissions which could make Lafarge
number one. Our cool city is still trying to outlive the unsavory reputation earned
for being home to the largest
hazardous waste burning facility in Let it be made perfectly clear. The judge did not rule that 570 pounds of mercury was safe. MDEQ toxicologists are seriously considering that a multi-pathway risk assessment be conducted to establish an emission limit. Those in the MDEQ that say 570 pounds is safe and protective of our health and the environment do not live here. The judge ruled that the way the state arrived at the 390 pound limit was not arrived at scientifically. If Lafarge was a true Steward of our Environment as they claim in their ads there are two things they could do to earn that title. 1. Eliminate the Canadian fly ash. It is only 5% of their product but accounts for over 50% of their mercury emissions. 2. Install stack scrubbers. They would remove 95% of what is now coming out of their stacks. Environmental improvements are tax deductible. The dome and clinker storage are examples of that. Bill Freese, Director Huron Environmental Activist League |