Lafarge Tire-Burning in the Hudson Valley

Please add my name to the list of taxpayers, voters, parents, workers, business owners and other residents who are deeply concerned by the Lafarge company's proposal to burn nearly 5 million tires in its Ravena, NY cement kiln.

Lafarge's risky plan could affect the health of tens of thousands of residents downwind in New York, Massachusetts and Vermont.

Dr. Matthew Asborsen of Stuyvesant (NY) has stated that "I am extremely concerned about the potential carcinogenic effects of burning tires... It is likely that toxins and metals such as those found in tires are among the causes of health problems such as Parkinson's, rheumatoid arthritis and autism."

I am aware that cement kilns are not designed, operated or regulated as incinerators of tires. Older, wet-process kilns with poor compliance records (such as this one) are the least prepared to handle the complex problem of burning massive quantities of tires.

I therefore call on you, as public officials, to:

(1) Fully address the serious, long-standing compliance problems at the Ravena plant, which State regulators have failed to act upon, before moving forward with any consideration of tire-burning at this troubled facility;

(2) Require Lafarge to explain why it seeks to burn whole tires as fuel, a practice even riskier than burning shredded tires;

(3) Explain why State regulators have not yet even considered the need for a test burn before moving forward on this proposal;

(4) Explain why New York State regulators would encourage the incineration of tires, when the State and U.S. EPA agree that there are more beneficial forms of re-use which address the State's tire management problem;

(5) At minimum, extend the comment period on this project by at least 90 days, to give the general public and scientific experts a proper opportunity to participate meaningfully in the review process.

Lafarge's risky proposal would add many dimensions of complexity to the management of an already troubled plant. Burning tires requires the very strictest monitoring and controls, and the highest levels of operational quality.

Given the risks involved, and since the current application does not provide such high levels of assurance, I urge the State to suspend its review pending further review of all the above concerns. I will be watching closely for the outcome of your decision on this matter.