TN Online - March 2, 2006
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'A major victory'
NAS: fly ash can pose health and ecological concerns
By DONALD R. SERFASS
dserfass@tnonline.com
TN FILE PHOTO/ DONALD R.
SERFASS
A four-year fight for clean air and water
might have scored a major victory
Wednesday when the National
Academy of Sciences issued
recommendations for regulating fly ash
dumping. In this scene from three years
ago, youngsters protest the dust and
pollution spread by a steady stream of
fly ash trucks in Tamaqua.
When it comes to fly ash dumping, the often-used term “beneficial use” might need to
take a beneficial hike.
That's what some are saying now that findings of the National Academy of Sciences' 24-
month examination into the fly ash dumping controversy have been made public.
The NAS released its fly ash study results yesterday, which, by coincidence, was Ash
Wednesday.
In the summary of the 241-page report, the NAS states that the practice of fly ash
dumping can result in harmful health and ecological effects. The report also warns
against using the term “beneficial use” to cut short the risks associated with fly ash
dumping. The term “beneficial use” is used by the PA Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP). The DEP approves of the dumping of fly ash into unlined mine pits
such as Springdale Pit, which borders Tamaqua, Coaldale and Summit Hill.
Locally, the four-year fight to protect air and water quality may have reached a turning
point now that the NAS has announced its findings
While the full report will need to be scrutinized, the Army for a Clean Environment, the
leading local environmental group, called the NAS findings “a major victory.”
“I have only had time to scan the summary but my impression is that the report is very
favorable to our positions on the dangers of fly ash dumping,” said Dr. Dante J.
Picciano, Esq., founder of the ACE group.
Picciano said the NAS findings directly refute the position of the PA DEP and its
beneficial use program.
The study incorporates fly ash under the term “coal combustion residue,” or CCR. On
page one, the summary puts forth two priorities:
“The committee concluded that putting CCRs in coal mines as part of the reclamation process is a viable management option as
long as (1) CCR placement is properly planned and is carried out in a manner that avoids significant adverse environmental and
health impacts and (2) the regulatory process for issuing permits includes clear provisions for public involvement.”
Picciano said the ACE group agrees to that philosophy, but points out that such practices aren't being followed in Pennsylvania.
“First, we agree that CCR placement should be properly planned and carried out in a manner that avoids significant adverse
environmental and health impacts. We do not believe that such factors are presently being considered to the extent necessary by
the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
“Second, we agree that the regulatory process for issuing permits should include clear provisions for public involvement. The
present system allows for public involvement but the involvement is not meaningful. The PA DEP gives little, if any, credence to
public comments under the present system. An improved system for public participation is welcomed.”
But perhaps even more importantly, the NAS study confirms the potential for harm to occur from the dumping of fly ash:
“The committee concludes that the presence of high contaminant levels in many CCR leachates may create human health and
ecological concerns at or near some mine sites over the long term.”
Picciano said that statement reflects the position of the ACE group.
“The NAS Committee confirms what we have been stating for the last four years.”
The study cautions that “special attention should be paid in reclamation operations to the interaction of water with CCR.” The study
goes on to advocate “proper covers and use of liners to prevent erosion and root penetration by plants and subsequent upward
mobilization of CCR constituents.”
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