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Oxy Facts Sheet


Occidental Chemical

Toxic Air Emissions And
Your Families’ Health



Data From EPA’s Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) - Compiled by Scorecard

Evaluate the facts concerning the most updated data on Occidental Chemical’s Toxic Release Inventory (TRI). Then join ACE in taking action. Over 31,000 residents live within 2 miles of Occidental and tens of thousands more live downwind. There are 25 schools and day care centers within 2 miles, thousands of people work in professional offices and businesses in the immediate vicinity, and the Pottstown Hospital is within ½ mile.

1999 National Rankings on Self Reported Major Hazardous Releases or Waste Generation

Occidental’s score for the Dirtiest/Worst Facilities in the US:
    Top 10 % - Air Releases of Recognized Carcinogens
    Top 20 % - Air and Water Releases - Cancer Risks
    Top 20 % - Air and Water Releases - Other Hazardous Health Risks
1999 TRI – Occidental Chemical’s AIR Pollution Releases
    Pounds   sorted by HEALTH EFFECTS
    129,762   Recognized Carcinogens
    22,700     Suspected Carcinogens
    122,000   Suspected Cardiovascular or Blood Toxicants
    129,760   Suspected Developmental Toxicants
    7,760       Suspected Kidney Toxicants
    186,035   Suspected Gastrointestinal or Liver Toxicants
    216,460   Suspected Neurotoxicants
    122,000   Suspected Reproductive Toxicants
    216,497   Suspected Respiratory Toxicants
    216,495   Suspected Skin or Sense Organ Toxicants
Some chemicals are associated with more than one health effect, so their release may be counted more than once in this table. Therefore, it is not appropriate to use the sum of these numbers.

Vinyl Chloride is the most hazardous chemical reported to TRI by Occidental.
Chemical Ranking for Potential Human Health Risks according to TRI data:
    #1 Cancer Risk    -    Vinyl Chloride
    #1 Risk for Other Health Hazards    -    Vinyl Chloride
Occidental’s Vinyl Chloride releases in Pottstown - 1999 TRI data
    #1 for the entire state of PA     -     Occidental in Pottstown
    #2 for the entire United States    -    Occidental in Pottstown
Vinyl Chloride is ranked as one of the most hazardous compounds (worst 10%) to ecosystems and human health.

Vinyl Chloride - Human Health Effects: Human Health Hazard – Chemical Profile 75-01-4
    Recognized Carcinogen
    Suspected Cardiovascular or Blood Toxicant
    Suspected Developmental Toxicant
    Suspected Gastrointestinal or Liver Toxicant
    Suspected Neurotoxicant
    Suspected Reproductive Toxicant
    Suspected Respiratory Toxicant
    Suspected Skin or Sense Organ Toxicant
Vinyl Chloride is also a Known Human Carcinogen according to:
    The 8th Report on Carcinogens
    The State of California
    The International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC) R EPA lists Vinyl Chloride as a hazardous air pollutant in Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990.
    EPA lists Vinyl Chloride in SARA 313 Toxic Chemicals, 33 Urban Air Toxics, Health Effects Notebook for Hazardous Air Pollutants.
Occidental Chemical, Pottstown, released 104,000 pounds of Vinyl Chloride
into our air in 2000 according to self reported TRI Data. Every year Occidental Chemical emits enormous amounts of this extremely dangerous chemical into our air. These air releases are inhaled into our lungs and absorbed through our skin. They further contaminate our soil, water, homes, and schools.

2000 TRI self-reported data for Pottstown Occidental’s Hazardous Air Emissions by pounds:
    Vinyl Chloride     104,000
    Ammonia              58,000
    Vinyl Acetate        18,670
    Acetaldehyde       12,200
    Hydrochloric Acid      440
All these chemicals can have harmful health effects. This is not the complete list of Occidental’s emissions. We have reason to believe Occidental’s estimated hazardous air emissions may not be completely accurate. This is just one example why we do not believe self reported toxic emissions are accurate.
• A recent accident at Occidental in Pottstown would verify that as bad as these industry-tested, monitored, and reported emissions are, it could be worse.
• On May 10, 2002, a notice was posted for employees that an over pressured reactor caused a relief valve to release 500 pounds of vinyl chloride to the atmosphere.
• The report from Occidental to DEP listed the approximate total loss of VMC at 234 pounds.
• An Incident Log listed this same accident at 100 pounds of vinyl chloride released.

For further research and information on Vinyl Chloride, “Trade Secrets,” an investigative report on chemicals by Bill Moyers, featuring Vinyl Chloride. To purchase the video call 1 (800) 336-1917 or visit www.pbs.org and www.ewg.org.

Occidental in Pottstown uses vinyl chloride to make PVC plastic. Recently aired on PBS, “Blue Vinyl”, an entertaining toxic comedy video, shows how much the production, use, and disposal of PVC plastic could be costing communities, workers, children, our health, and the environment. Don’t miss this video. For more information: www.bluevinyl.org, www.myhouseisyourhouse.org, and info@workingfilms.org, or call ACE. (610) 326-6433

Occidental’s PVC production process also exposes us to Health Risks from Dioxin, one of the most toxic substances known to human health. Dioxin presents many serious health risks in tiny amounts. While we can not be sure how much Dioxin has been emitted by Occidental Chemical in Pottstown since 1980, any amount is a health threat to you and your family.









ACE
P.O. Box 3063
Stowe, PA 19464
ace@acereport.org






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