The proposed St. Lawrence Cement plant will make our air worse. Much of the Hudson Valley and New England is already in violation of national standards for ozone, a serious and persistent public health threat. These dangerously high levels of ozone aggravate chronic lung diseases such as emphysema, bronchitis and asthma, and may cause permanent lung damage.
The company's coal-fired cement plant would emit as much ozone-producing nitrogen oxide (NOx) as the dirtiest power plants in the region, including Massachusetts' Salem Harbor Station, which is responsible for 53 premature deaths, 570 emergency room visits, and 14,400 asthma attacks every year. (Source: Harvard School of Public Health) |
 |
| Here are the facts: |
|
 |
|
Hudson Valley Air Quality is Dismal
The American Lung Association ranks Hudson Valley counties among the worst in the nation in terms of air quality. From Albany to Manhattan, ground level ozone levels are bad and getting worse each year. (Source: American Lung Association) |
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
Region Violates Federal Ozone Standards
Based on the states' recommendations, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will designate the areas in red as those in violation of new federal ozone standards. Any new source of ozone in this region is a problem. (Source: EPA) |
|
| Select maps to view full-size images. |
|
|
 |
|
As Dirty as New York's Worst Power Plants
SLC says that power plants are the real culprit in air pollution, but its plant will emit as much nitrogen oxide - the key source of ozone - as the oldest, dirtiest power plants in New York. (Sources: EPA, SLC) |
|
| Select chart to view full-size image. |
|
|
 |
|
NOx Emissions Rival New England's Worst
SLC plant NOx emissions rival Connecticut's infamous "Sooty Six" power plants COMBINED and are on par with Massachusetts' Salem Harbor Station. (Sources: EPA, SLC) |
|
| Select chart to view full-size image. |
|
|
| Out-of-scale and out-of-place, this plant would be a major industrial polluter and a clear threat to the public health. |
