Read the full article by Eric Schmid (St. Louis Public Radio)
“Environmental groups and local residents in the Metro East want state lawmakers to pass legislation that would ban the incineration of a toxic class of chemicals known as PFAS.
The bill by Rep. LaToya Greenwood, D-East St. Louis, which advanced on Wednesday, would prohibit disposing of any PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) through burning, mirroring a law in New York.
PFAS refers broadly to thousands of synthetic chemicals found in common household products like nonstick cookware, clothing and stain repellent for carpet. It’s also one of the main components of many firefighting foams stored at municipal and military installations.
It has been linked to groundwater contamination, and exposure can cause cancer and other serious health ailments.
Members of the United Congregations of Metro East, a faith-based environmental group, gathered near some of the many industrial complexes in Sauget to voice their support for the bill on Thursday, which was Earth Day.
‘This one step will be the beginning of us not having to breathe dirty air anymore,’ said Marie Franklin, a lifelong resident of adjacent East St. Louis. ‘Burn that stuff next door to your momma, not mine.’
A statewide ban on PFAS incineration would have implications in the Metro East because Veolia Environmental Services’ incinerator in Sauget is one of the sites the Defense Department authorized to dispose of the substance...”