EPA limits carcinogenic emissions at 218 US plants
EPA limits carcinogenic emissions at 218 US plants The Week
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What happened
The Environmental Protection Agency finalized a rule Tuesday that will require 218 chemical plants to reduce toxic and carcinogenic airborne pollutants, aiming to reduce the number of people with elevated cancer risk by 96% nationwide. The rule targets ethylene oxide, used for sterilizing medical devices, and chloroprene, used to make rubber in footwear, plus four other chemicals. More than half the affected plants are in Texas and Louisiana, including a strip of factories and adjacent communities known as Cancer Alley.
Who said what
These “strong final standards” will “slash pollution, reduce cancer risk and ensure cleaner air for nearby communities,” said EPA Administrator Michael Regan.
The new regulations, based on “deeply flawed” methodology, “threaten to affect the production of chemistries that are needed for countless everyday products” and “key industries,” said Tom Flanagin, spokesperson for the American Chemistry Council. For the families living near these plants, “in a very real sense this is about life and death,” said Earthjustice’s Patrice Simms.
What next?
The rule will take effect soon after it is published in the federal register.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
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SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being
- Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
- Indicator: Number of people with elevated cancer risk due to toxic and carcinogenic airborne pollutants.
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SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing the release of hazardous chemicals and materials.
- Indicator: Reduction in toxic and carcinogenic airborne pollutants released by chemical plants.
-
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including air quality and waste management.
- Indicator: Reduction in toxic and carcinogenic airborne pollutants in communities near chemical plants.
-
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle.
- Indicator: Implementation of regulations to reduce toxic and carcinogenic airborne pollutants emitted by chemical plants.
-
SDG 13: Climate Action
- Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.
- Indicator: Public awareness and understanding of the health risks associated with toxic and carcinogenic airborne pollutants.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being | Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. | Number of people with elevated cancer risk due to toxic and carcinogenic airborne pollutants. |
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing the release of hazardous chemicals and materials. | Reduction in toxic and carcinogenic airborne pollutants released by chemical plants. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including air quality and waste management. | Reduction in toxic and carcinogenic airborne pollutants in communities near chemical plants. |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle. | Implementation of regulations to reduce toxic and carcinogenic airborne pollutants emitted by chemical plants. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning. | Public awareness and understanding of the health risks associated with toxic and carcinogenic airborne pollutants. |
Analysis
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SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being
The article highlights the Environmental Protection Agency’s rule to reduce toxic and carcinogenic airborne pollutants, aiming to reduce the number of people with elevated cancer risk by 96% nationwide. This directly addresses the goal of promoting good health and well-being.
The specific target under this SDG is Target 3.9, which aims to substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. The article mentions the reduction of cancer risk as a result of the rule.
The indicator mentioned in the article is the number of people with elevated cancer risk due to toxic and carcinogenic airborne pollutants. This indicator can be used to measure progress towards reducing the health impacts of hazardous chemicals.
-
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
The reduction of toxic and carcinogenic airborne pollutants released by chemical plants contributes to improving water quality and reducing pollution, aligning with SDG 6.
The specific target under this SDG is Target 6.3, which aims to improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing the release of hazardous chemicals and materials. The article mentions the rule’s focus on reducing toxic pollutants.
The indicator implied in the article is the reduction in toxic and carcinogenic airborne pollutants released by chemical plants. This indicator can be used to measure progress towards achieving cleaner water and reducing pollution.
-
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
The article mentions that the rule targets chemical plants located in Texas and Louisiana, including a strip of factories and adjacent communities known as Cancer Alley. This highlights the impact on communities and aligns with SDG 11.
The specific target under this SDG is Target 11.6, which aims to reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including air quality and waste management. The article mentions the reduction of toxic pollutants in communities near chemical plants.
The indicator mentioned in the article is the reduction in toxic and carcinogenic airborne pollutants in communities near chemical plants. This indicator can be used to measure progress towards creating sustainable cities and communities with improved air quality.
- Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: theweek.com
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