Summer, 1997
Kaiser Cancer Risk Higher Than Previously Estimated
by Leslie Fowler
The cancer risk due to air pollution from Kaiser Cement is double the risk originally reported. The Cupertino company miscalculated the cancer risk of its current pollution, according to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.
The error was discovered by Tim Brand, a member of West Valley Citizen's Air Watch, the group opposing Kaiser Cement's plan to burn tires for fuel. "The public needs to be aware that health risk is being measured with a rubber ruler, not with objective science," he said.
At the newly announced level, the cancer risk from Kaiser/Hanson's current air pollution--without burning tires-more than doubles to 9.4 per million.
If Kaiser Cement proceeds with its proposal to burn 2 million tires a year, the cancer risk would increase to 11 cancers per million. This is in addition to the 500 in a million background risk of cancer due to air pollution in this valley.
Under the Toxic "Hot Spots" law, burning tires would raise the cement kiln's classification to a Level 1 facility with increased responsibilities to report health risks to the community. The most recent Air Toxic Inventory published by the regional air district shows the Kaiser Cement had a 20% increase in toxic emissions between 1994 and 1995.
Community Stops Kaiser Cement's End Run
Facing community opposition to its tire burning proposal , Kaiser Cement announced it was not going to seek a permit to burn tires for now and invited local residents to dine and discuss their concerns. At the same time, in an attempted end run, Kaiser executives were in Sacramento lobbying for AB375 which would classify tire incineration as "recycling" and pay 32 cents for every tire burned from state recycling funds. Without any incentives Kaiser Cement stands to save $500,000 to $1,000,000 a year by burning 2 million tires in place of 10 per cent of the coal it normally burns.
West Valley Citizens Air Watch successfully convinced State Assembly Representatives to vote against the bill 41- 20 with 19 abstentions. Those who opposed the bill included Jim Cunneen of Cupertino, Elaine Alquist, Mike Honda, Ted Lempert, Liz Figeroa and Mike Sweeney.
Leslie Fowler is a founding member of West Valley Citizens Air Watch.
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