The N.C. Sierra Club commended the state Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for developing a comprehensive, proactive new plan to tighten permit requirements for proposed and current emissions of methyl bromide, a toxic chemical.
The plan announced today (Thursday) would make North Carolina the only state to establish emission standards for methyl bromide, which is banned entirely in other countries.
Public concern has mounted this year over proposed permit applications to emit the toxic gas in and around New Hanover, Brunswick and Columbus counties. Citizen opposition led to the defeat of the New Hanover plan, but the Columbus County permit application remains active.
DEQ said it would take action to require current methyl bromide permit holders to install capture-and-control technology capable of reducing methyl bromide emissions by at least 90%. Pending permit applications would require modifications to include the same technology.
DEQ also plans to request further study of possible state standards by the Scientific Advisory Board and potential regulation by the Environmental Management Commission.
Methyl bromide is an odorless, colorless gas used to control pests in agriculture and shipping. It was banned by the 1987 Montreal Protocol for its devastating impacts on the ozone layer and is listed by the EPA as a highly toxic substance.
The European Union has banned the use of methyl bromide, while the EPA has restricted it to ‘critical use exemptions’ such as quarantine and pre-shipment uses, such as lumber fumigation.
A fumigation company, Malec Brothers, is seeking DEQ permission to release 140 tons per year of the chemical into the air in Delco, just down the road from Acme Delco Middle School in Columbus County. Area residents were galvanized by the request, submitting thousands of technical and personal comments to DEQ's Division of Air Quality in opposition to the facility.
Erin Carey, Coastal Programs Coordinator the NC Sierra Club, issued this statement in response to the plan:
“The Department of Environmental Quality has shown great leadership and a true commitment to the health of our citizens and our environment with a comprehensive action plan to safeguard North Carolinians from harmful methyl bromide emissions. The very least we can ask of companies that use this dangerous, highly toxic chemical is to be responsible neighbors by incorporating readily available technology that will control emissions and protect communities and the environment. We thank and congratulate all those who made their voices heard in this fight; you spoke and your government listened.“