Bay Area Dioxins Task Force Explores Pollution Prevention Options

The draft report, Screening Evaluation of Dioxins Pollution Prevention, received public comment at the Bay Area Dioxins Project Public Outreach meeting on April 29th. The draft report compiles and presents dioxins pollution prevention options to assist Bay Area city and county governments in initiating pollution prevention efforts. This report will serve as a resource for local governments who have adopted resolutions calling for the elimination of dioxin compounds. Dioxins are a term used to describe a group of hundreds of naturally and industrially created chemicals. Concern over the presence of dioxins has grown steadily since the 1990s, especially since dioxins are believed to cause cancer in humans and to weaken the immune system.

The pollution prevention options examined in the Dioxins Task Force report were selected from a set of "most likely" efforts, rather than representing a comprehensive screening exercise. The options selected reflect a "reasonable range" of prevention options that are possible for municipalities to implement. Some of the options being proposed include using alternatives for broadleaf weed pesticide, retrofitting diesel engines, eliminating medical PVC use, removing PCBs and any PVC/"vinyl" from service, adopting the BAAQMD model ordinance for wood burning, and modifying the process for paper bleaching or using totally chlorine free paper.

Public Comments
More than 30 members of the public attended the public hearing representating community groups, individuals, and industry groups. Public comments were diverse, ranging from asking to see more research completed, to calling for a quick finalization of the report and immediate implementation of the pilot program. Other comments centered around the degree of response and the public participation process. Public comment is being incorporated into the final draft report for review and approval by the Dioxins Task Force at the July 16, 2001, Task Force meeting. The report will also be presented to the ABAG L&GO Committee for review. Other actions include the selection of a pilot program from the options presented in the report and implementation of the pilot program.

"An update to ABAG's Executive Board on the report, public involvement, and selected pilot program is scheduled for November 2001," stated Jennifer Krebs, ABAG Senior Environmental Planner and Staff Lead for the Bay Area Dioxins Project, who can be contacted at (510) 464-7977 or email JenniferK@abag.ca.gov. The draft report and additional information on the Bay Area Dioxins Project is available on the ABAG website, located at: http://dioxin.abag.ca.gov.