Read the full article by Kelsey Landis (Belleville News-Democrat)
“It could soon be illegal for Illinois companies to incinerate a class of potentially cancer-causing substances known as ‘forever chemicals’ because they accumulate in the body and environment without breaking down.
A bill to ban burning the chemicals — known as PFAS, or per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances — passed the General Assembly over the Memorial Day weekend. It was awaiting Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s signature as of Tuesday and would go into immediate effect.
Southwestern Illinoisans who live with poor air quality have raised concerns for years that an incinerator in Sauget operated by hazardous waste disposal company Veolia could burn PFAS, which is found in common household items and in firefighting foam used by the Air Force to extinguish aviation fuel fires.
While researchers are still studying the health impacts of burning PFAS, the chemicals are linked to higher cholesterol levels, cancer, pregnancy complications, low birth weights and immune disorders, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Veolia is on a U.S. Department of Defense list of companies authorized to burn PFAS, but has not done so, said company spokeswoman Carrie Griffiths…”