The plastics industry is releasing illegal pollution but rarely faces discipline for environmental permit violations, according to a new report by the Environmental Integrity Project.

Companies producing plastics emitted nearly 63 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions in 2021, about as much as 15 coal-fired power plants.

Alexandra Shaykevich, research manager for the Environmental Integrity Project, pointed out while many people and industries are now trying to minimize their use of fossil fuels, the plastics industry is moving in the opposite direction. She said people may not be aware plastic is produced primarily from oil and natural gas.

"It's been expanding at an exponential rate and causing a cascade of environmental problems, not just greenhouse gas pollution, but also litter," Shaykevich explained. "A lot of these products, they can't be recycled and so essentially, they wind up littering our oceans and our waterways."

The toxic chemicals emitted during plastics production have been linked to asthma, bronchitis and cancer. Nationwide, more than two-thirds of those living within three miles of the factories manufacturing the main ingredients in plastic products are people of color.

Shaykevich noted many plastic plants built or expanded over the last decade have received tax breaks or subsidies from state and local governments worth nearly $9 billion. She added data show the trend is likely to continue.

"Our report identified at least 10 new plants and 23 expansion projects that existing facilities have proposed," Shaykevich outlined. "They could add an additional 35 million tons of greenhouse gases per year, if those plants move forward."

One of the expanded plants is located in Ohio. According to the report, the new projects would produce ethylene or polyethylene but the industry is also planning to increase production of "PET," the type of plastic primarily used for packaging.

Reporting by Ohio News Connection in association with Media in the Public Interest and funded in part by the George Gund Foundation.


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Bad air quality days are a heightened concern as ozone season begins in North Carolina.

Ozone season in the state lasts from March through October, when hot weather increases the prevalence of ground-level ozone.

Rafaella Vaca, education manager for the advocacy group CleanAIRE NC, said there are health effects from poor ozone days.

"Symptoms like shortness of breath, coughing and throat irritation as short term impacts," Vaca explained. "Over time, it can cause inflamed airways and worsen conditions like asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and also increase your susceptibility to lung infections."

Ground-level ozone forms from chemical reactions between nitrogen oxides and organic compounds emitted from car exhaust, aerosols and manufacturing facilities.

Vaca acknowledged the effects of bad ozone are not often discussed, probably in part because it cannot be seen, even though it contributes to smog.

"It's not emitted directly from car emissions but it forms when pollutants come together in sunlight," Vaca noted. "It's a little bit more of a complicated process."

Vaca emphasized there are ways for people to protect themselves and others, including by driving less and using public transportation more often. People can also check the Air Quality Index and limit activities outside when levels are high.

Vaca argued regulatory agencies like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality can do more to protect people.

"They need to consider all air emissions and contaminations that can affect your well-being," Vaca urged. "Unfortunately, that's not currently how this system works because each air pollution permit is evaluated as and only one pollution source to consider versus considering all of them at once."

Earlier this month, the Federal Highway Administration stopped new funding for electric vehicle charging stations under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program.

Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the program allocated $5 billion over five years to all U.S. states, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Michigan was set to receive $110 million for fast-charging stations along key routes.

Chase Attanasio, policy manager for the advocacy group Clean Fuels Michigan, said despite the cuts, EV charging ports expansion plans in the state are affected but not aborted.

"The utility companies in Michigan have been and will continue to invest heavily in EV infrastructure deployments in their service territories that support a variety of different use cases," Attanasio pointed out. "And there are state programs that will continue to support EV charger deployments across the state."

The federal government will allow existing contracts to proceed with reimbursements until new guidance is issued.

There are currently 3,700 public charging stations around the Great Lakes State and the goal is to deploy 100 thousand by 2030. Attanasio believes Michigan has an opportunity to step up and take the lead in the clean mobility sector, despite uncertainties.

"Increasing investments in the clean mobility sectors will show Michigan's commitment to this industry," Attanasio contended. "And its commitment to transitioning and supporting the automotive industry in its transition towards electric vehicles."

The Federal government's initial goal was to increase the total number of public EV charging ports to 500,000 by 2030. Since Congress approved the funding, the current administration may face challenges in stopping the program on its own.

After thousands of homes and businesses burned in the Los Angeles fires, public health doctors are warning about the toxic pollution from plastics used in construction. Many building materials are made from plastics, including flooring and carpeting, floor sealants, siding, insulation, paints, and plumbing.

Kaya Allan-Sugerman, director of health and environment programs with the group Physicians for Social Responsibility Los Angeles, said the toxic chemicals found in urban wildfire smoke has been linked to respiratory and developmental conditions, hormone disruption, and even cancer.

"Plastics don't just burn," she said. "They release some of the most toxic chemicals. When released, these pollutants don't just disappear. They can travel distances in the ash and they settle in the air, water and soil, contaminating entire communities."

Experts recommend using an air purifier or HVAC system with a HEPA filter inside, and wearing an N-95 mask outside if you're downwind of the fire zones. If you help clean up toxic ash, use gloves and avoid dry sweeping, which stirs ash into the air. Use wet methods or a HEPA vacuum instead, she suggested.

Allan-Sugerman said when rebuilding, people should choose safer, non-plastic materials wherever possible in order to promote public health, fire safety and environmental quality.

"We need stronger regulations on toxic building materials, and investment in sustainable fire resistant construction, because the more we use plastics in our buildings, the more we set ourselves up for long-term harm, especially as wildfires become more frequent and intense, given climate change," she explained.

She added that websites such as Habitablefuture.org can help homeowners find alternatives to plastic in building materials.


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