Ms. Janet L. Carter, Head
Horry County Planning Department

Dear Ms. Carter:

On behalf of Horry County Pride I am writing to express total opposition on the part of our members to the placement of asphalt and concrete facilities in residential areas due to serious public health concerns. Asphalt and concrete facilities belong in industrial parks, and we request that all permits to place such facilities in residential areas be denied.

Horry County Pride believes it is reckless and unconscionable, if not criminal, on the part of elected officials to knowingly place potentially hazardous materials and facilities in residential areas. Asphalt and concrete plants are regulated because they are air pollution sources. They emit significant levels of both particulate matter and gaseous volatile organic compounds (VOCs), some of which are suspected carcinogens and detrimental to human health. The SC DHEC is currently basing decisions on toxicity using decades-old information. Science has come along way since then.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states:

“Asphalt processing and asphalt roofing manufacturing facilities are major sources of hazardous air pollutants such as formaldehyde, hexane, phenol, polycyclic organic matter, and toluene. Exposure to these air toxics may cause cancer, central nervous system problems, liver damage, respiratory problems and skin irritation.”

The US Department of Health and Human Services has determined:

Asphalt fumes contain substances ( polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) known to cause cancer, coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath, severe irritation of the skin, headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Animal studies show PAHs affect reproduction, cause birth defects, and are harmful to the immune system.

In addition to smokestack emissions, large amounts of harmful “fugitive emissions” are released as the asphalt is moved around in trucks and conveyor belts, and is stored in stockpiles. A small asphalt facility producing 100 thousand tons of asphalt a year may release up to 50 tons of toxic fugitive emissions into the air. Stagnant air and local weather patterns often increase the level of exposure to local communities.

Most asphalt facilities are not even tested for toxic emissions. The amounts of pollutants released from a facility are estimated by computers and mathematical formulas rather than by actual stack testing, estimates that experts agree do not accurately predict the amount of toxic fugitive emissions released and the risks they pose.

Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

HORRY COUNTY PRIDE LEADERSHIP
Julie Harbin, julieharbin@sc.rr.com
Pam Creech, fouroaksgeneral@yahoo.com
Jim Paullin, peaceoftherock81@cs.com
Stu Schnur, sschnur@sc.rr.com

This entry was posted on Monday, December 3rd, 2007 at 2:20 pm and is filed under Horry County Council, Horry County Planning Commission.