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Stop the IES Incinerators in Oakland, CA! Unite to demand Zero Dioxin, Health and Environmental Justice for all! Tell our government officials to support the campaign to get IES to replace the incinerators with safer non-incineration technologies to protect jobs and our health! Make Your Calls Today!
Press Coverage: 1/23 Press Coverage! IES Protest! Activists Demand Medical Waste Incinerators Close. Read the Oakland Tribune front page article! 1/3 Press Coverage! Officials May Deny Permit to Incinerator. Oakland medical waste facility accused of emitting pollutants. Read the Oakland Tribune Article! For more information, contact:
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Greenaction Fact Sheet Stop the Toxic Threat From The IES Incinerators in East Oakland! Tell IES to shut the incinerators and use safer technologies to protect jobs and public health! OUR HEALTH IS AT RISK IES (Integrated Environmental Systems/Norcal) operates two incinerators at 499 High Street that burn medical waste near homes, schools, and workplaces. The incinerators emit toxic chemicals and metals, including dioxin and mercury, which can cause cancer and other ill-health effects. BURNING PVC PLASTICS = DIOXIN Incineration of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastics results in emissions of dioxin, one of the most toxic chemicals known. The Cities of Oakland and San Francisco, Alameda County Health Department, California Medical Association, and the American Public Health Association all support reducing or eliminating PVC plastics wherever possible. DIOXIN & MERCURY ARE TOXIC POISONS Dioxin can cause health problems including cancer, birth defects, hormonal changes, declining sperm counts, infertility, endometriosis, immune system impairment, and diabetes, as well as detrimental effects on the liver, spleen, bone marrow, and skin. NO AMOUNT OF DIOXIN EXPOSURE IS SAFE A new U. S. EPA study found dioxin is more toxic than previously thought, and can cause health problems at low levels of exposure. We already have too much dioxin in our bodies and in our food, and no exposure to even small amounts is acceptable. HOSPITALS, DIOXIN, & MERCURY Hospitals and other healthcare providers can greatly reduce pollution by: using alternatives to PVC and mercury-containing medical devices; by minimizing the generation of waste and separating reusable and recyclable materials; and by substituting, safer non-incineration technologies to treat waste. POOR TRACK RECORD OF IES IES has been cited for hundreds of violations since 1990. Violations continue, jeopardizing the safety of neighbors and workers. Repeat violations include excess emissions, uncontrolled bypasses of pollution control equipment, and broken monitors. Government agencies are guilty of lax enforcement, issuing small or no fines despite repeat serious offenses. ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE Oakland's low-income and people of color neighborhoods should not be the dumping ground for wastes sent from far and wide to be burned here without the public's consent. Alameda residents are also at risk. IES should shut the incinerators and use safer technologies to protect the workers and our community from toxic emissions. |