News Releases - 1999

Air Emissions of Cancer-Causing Toxic Chemicals from Manufacturing Plants Reduced

Springfield, Ill. -- Air emissions of cancer-causing chemicals from Illinois manufacturing plants have been reduced by 57 percent from 1988 to 1997, according to the latest reported information for 1997 required by the federal Toxics Release Inventory (TRI). These emissions declined by 18 percent from 1996 to 1997 alone. The amounts of these chemicals emitted were 14.5 million pounds in 1988, 7.6 million pounds in 1996 and 6.2 million pounds in 1997.

The chemical with the largest single decrease in quantity both from 1988 to 1997 and from 1996 to 1997 was dichloromethane, while the industrial group including steel works, blast furnaces (including coke ovens) and rolling mills led all other industrial groups in reductions from 1988 to 1997, mostly coming from declines in emissions of two chemicals, benzene and trichloroethylene.

Many Illinois communities and facilities had particularly noteworthy success in reducing emissions of carcinogens. The attached list includes detailed information about these achievements for the communities with the 10 highest reductions from 1988-1997 and from 1996 to 1997.

"This significant reduction in emissions of cancer-causing chemicals into our air is the result of compliance with federal and state regulatory programs, and voluntary actions by companies -- sometimes in response to citizen involvement at the state and local level. Since these chemicals have the potential to cause cancer, regulatory programs are designed to limit the amounts emitted to the air and the resulting risk. The Agency continues to make emissions reductions a top priority," said Illinois EPA Director Mary Gade.

The TRI reports are required by a federal law known as the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act of 1986, passed by Congress to give the public and all levels of government more information about chemicals in our communities. About 1,200 Illinois facilities submit TRI reports each year.

Significant Reductions in Various Communities

1988 to 1997

Cook County ranked first out of 49 counties in Illinois with reduced emissions of these chemicals from 1988 to 1997, showing a decline of 3.2 million pounds, or 62 percent. Most of this decrease came from declines in emissions of three chemicals, dichloromethane, tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene. The City of Chicago accounted for 1.4 million pounds of this reduction, a 78 percent decrease for the City itself, while the suburbs of Cook County accounted for 1.8 million pounds, which was a 53 percent decrease for areas in the county outside of Chicago. For comparison, the collar counties of Du Page, Kane, Lake, Mc Henry and Will collectively showed decreased emissions of 0.8 million pounds, or 36 percent in this period.

Although several facilities closed or left Chicago and Cook County in this period, most of the reductions occurred before closing or relocation.

Chicago ranked first out of 139 cities in Illinois with reduced emissions of these chemicals from 1988 to 1997, showing a decline of 1,424,235 pounds, or 78 percent. Nearly half of the reduction was from decreased emissions of tetrachloroethylene, followed by trichloroethylene, dichloromethane and benzene. Although several facilities closed or moved out of the city during this period, most of the reductions occurred while the facilities were still in Chicago. Chicago also ranked fifth out of 99 Illinois cities with reduced emissions from 1996 to 1997 with a decline of 93,899 pounds or 19 percent. Most of this reduction resulted from decreased emissions of dichloromethane from several facilities.

Ottawa ranked second out of 139 cities in Illinois with reduced emissions of these chemicals from 1988 to 1997, showing a decline of 643,590 pounds, or 57 percent. Most of this reduction resulted from decreased emissions of acrylonitrile by the GE Company.

Granite City ranked third out of 139 cities in Illinois with reduced emissions of these chemicals from 1988 to 1997, showing a decline of 608,702 pounds, or 95 percent. Most of this reduction resulted from decreased emissions of benzene by Granite City Steel.

Montgomery ranked fourth out of 139 cities in Illinois with reduced emissions of these chemicals from 1988 to 1997, showing a decline of 548,776 pounds, or 100 percent. Most of this reduction resulted from elimination of emissions of dichloromethane by the AT&T - Montgomery Works.

Waukegan ranked fifth out of 139 cities in Illinois with reduced emissions of these chemicals from 1988 to 1997, showing a decline of 520,086 pounds, or 99 percent. Most of this reduction resulted from elimination of emissions of dichloromethane by Cherry Electrical Products Incorporated and Avery CPD, and trichloroethylene by OMC Waukegan.

Franklin Park ranked sixth out of 139 cities in Illinois with reduced emissions of these chemicals from 1988 to 1997, showing a decline of 500,338 pounds, or 80 percent. Most of this reduction resulted from elimination of emissions of dichloromethane by the Duo-Fast Corporation, and reduced emissions of trichloroethylene by MacLean Power Systems.

Sterling ranked seventh out of 139 cities in Illinois with reduced emissions of these chemicals from 1988 to 1997, showing a decline of 394,310 pounds, or nearly 100 percent. Most of this reduction resulted from elimination of emissions of trichloroethylene by the Northwestern Steel and Wire Company.

Mc Cook ranked eighth out of 139 cities in Illinois with reduced emissions of these chemicals from 1988 to 1997, showing a decline of 364,224 pounds, or 99 percent. Most of this reduction resulted from elimination of emissions of trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene and dichloromethane by the Reynolds Metals Company.

Elk Grove Village ranked ninth out of 139 cities in Illinois with reduced emissions of these chemicals from 1988 to 1997, showing a decline of 337,918 pounds, or 75 percent. Most of this reduction resulted from elimination of emissions of trichloroethylene by FPM Heat Treating, Incorporated, and dichloromethane by the World Color Alden Press, Incorporated, Chicago Division.

Melrose Park ranked tenth out of 139 cities in Illinois with reduced emissions of these chemicals from 1988 to 1997, showing a decline of 261,834 pounds, or 99 percent. Most of this reduction resulted from elimination of emissions of dichloromethane and trichloroethylene by Zenith Electronics Corporation Rauland Division.

1996 to 1997

Bartlett ranked first out of 99 cities in Illinois with reduced emissions of these chemicals from 1996 to 1997, showing a decline of 271,982 pounds, or 49 percent. All of this reduction was from decreased emissions of trichloroethylene by Senior Flexonics Incorporated.

Bridgeview ranked second out of 99 cities in Illinois with reduced emissions of these chemicals from 1996 to 1997, showing a decline of 232,101 pounds, or 32 percent. Most of this reduction was from decreased emissions of diclhoromethane from GFC-Bridgeview, who reported that substitution of raw materials helped to achieve the decrease.

Cairo ranked third out of 99 cities in Illinois with reduced emissions of these chemicals from 1996 to 1997, showing a decline of 195,397 pounds, or 32 percent. All of this reduction was from decreased emissions of dichloromethane by Burkart Foam Incorporated.

Decatur ranked fourth out of 99 cities in Illinois with reduced emissions of these chemicals from 1996 to 1997, showing a decline of 141,738 pounds, or 57 percent. Most of this reduction was from decreased emissions of acetaldehyde from A. E. Staley Manufacturing Company and trichloroethylene from Zexel USA Corporation.

Addison ranked sixth out of 99 cities in Illinois with reduced emissions of these chemicals from 1996 to 1997, showing a decline of 82,479 pounds, or 96 percent. Most of this reduction was from elimination of emissions of trichloroethylene and dichloromethane from Metals Technology Corporation.

Rock Falls ranked seventh out of 99 cities in Illinois with reduced emissions of these chemicals from 1996 to 1997, showing a decline of 77,883 pounds, or 81 percent. All of this reduction was from decreased emissions of tetrachloroethylene from Antec Manufacturing.

Lisle ranked eighth out of 99 cities in Illinois with reduced emissions of these chemicals from 1996 to 1997, showing a decline of 69,393 pounds, or 74 percent. All of this reduction was from decreased emissions of nickel, trichloroethylene and chromium from The Lockformer Company. Lockformer reported using modifications to equipment, layout or piping to help achieve the reductions in trichloroethylene emissions.

North Lake ranked ninth out of 99 cities in Illinois with reduced emissions of these chemicals from 1996 to 1997, showing a decline of 69,160 pounds, or 100 percent. All of this reduction was from decreased emissions of trichloroethylene from Hi-Temp Incorporated Plant #2. Hi-Temp reported using modifications to equipment, layout or piping to help achieve this reduction.

Byron ranked tenth out of 99 cities in Illinois with reduced emissions of these chemicals from 1996 to 1997, showing a decline of 36,620 pounds, or 24 percent. All of this reduction was from decreased emissions of trichloroethylene from Quality Metal Finishing, who reported using increased purity of raw materials to help achieve this reduction.