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Stop the IES Incinerators in East Oakland! What You Can Do #1: Call the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and demand they deny permits to the IES incinerators in East Oakland. Ask to be put on the mandatory notification list for opportunities for public comment on IES: Tell I.E.S. To Shut The Incinerators, Use Safer Technologies To Protect Jobs, Public Health and our environment. What You Can Do #2: Tell our government officials to stop the IES medical waste and solid waste incinerators. Ask them to support healthy communities, zero dioxin and a phase-out of PVC plastics. Call:
Did You Know...
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Fact Sheet on the I.E.S. Incinerators Our Health Is At Risk I.E.S. (Integrated Environmental Systems/Norcal) operates two incinerators burning medical and solid waste at 499 High Street, Oakland, near homes, stores and workplaces. I.E.S. burns waste from all over California and garbage from ships, planes and other sources, emitting toxic chemicals and metals which can cause cancer and other ill-health effects. Even hospitals in Hawaii tried sending their waste to be burned in Oakland, but Greenaction and our allies stopped them. Burning PVC Plastic = Dioxin Incineration of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastics in medical and solid waste results in emissions of dioxin, one of the most toxic chemicals known. The City of Oakland, Alameda County Health Department, California Medical Association, and the American Public Health Association all support reducing and eliminating PVC plastics where possible due to concerns about dioxin from incinerators. Dioxin is a Potent Toxic Poison Dioxin is linked to health problems including cancer, birth defects, hormonal changes (including alterations in sex, thyroid and other hormones), declining sperm counts, infertility, endometriosis, testicular atrophy, immune system impairment, diabetes, and effects on liver, thymus, spleen, bone marrow and skin. Zero Dioxin Exposure is Safe U.S. EPA's Dioxin Study has found that average human exposure to dioxin puts us within or near the range of where serious ill health effects can occur. As we already have too much dioxin in our bodies, no further exposure to even small amounts is acceptable. Hospitals, PVC Plastic, and Dioxins Hospitals and other health care 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 microwaving or autoclaving (steam sterilization) to treat wastes. Poor Track Record of I.E.S. I.E.S. has been cited for approximately 250 violations since 1990. Problems continue, jeopardizing the safety of neighbors and workers. Government agencies are guilty of lax enforcement, issuing small fines despite repeat offenses. Environmental Justice: Oakland should not be a dumping ground for wastes sent from far and wide to be burned here without public input or consent. I.E.S. should shut the incinerators, use safer technologies, and protect workers and our community from toxic emissions. For information and to get involved contact:
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