Tell WV DEP: Protect the health of West Virginians. Hold APG Polytech Accountable!

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Tell WV DEP: Protect the health of West Virginians. Hold APG Polytech Accountable!

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) has issued a consent order to APG Polytech, LLC (APG), a plastics manufacturer in Apple Grove, WV.

The Issue: Dangerous Chemical Discharge
APG is discharging a harmful compound known as 1,4-dioxane (1,4-D) into the Ohio River, which serves as the drinking water source for over 5 million people. 1,4-D is a likely human carcinogen that has been banned in California due to its links to cancer, persistence in water, and resistance to standard waste and drinking water treatments. This compound is commonly found in everyday products like cosmetics, detergents, shampoos, and even some pharmaceuticals.

The Impact: Health and Environmental Risks
Industrial releases of 1,4-D into drinking water supplies pose an unreasonable risk to communities like Huntington. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there's a significant 2.5 in 100 chance of developing cancer in your lifetime if you consume water sourced from areas with high 1,4-D contamination. This situation is simply unacceptable.

Our Call to Action: Hold APG Accountable
We cannot stand by as our water resources are polluted and our health is compromised. APG has been discharging excessive 1,4-D into the Ohio River, upstream from the drinking water intake for WV American Water Huntington District. This violation of discharge limits has resulted in chronic non-compliance and higher levels of 1,4-D in our drinking water.

Act Now: Your Voice Matters
The time to act is now! The comment period for this crucial issue is closing on Thursday, August 10. Join us in urging the WVDEP to hold APG accountable and increase the penalty they must pay for their pollution and require APG shut down operations if they don't meet their commitment to timely progress on upgrading their treatment process.

By adding your voice, you are standing up for clean and safe drinking water for everyone in our community. Thank you!

Fill out this form to contact the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. We encourage you to customize your message for more impact.

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WVDEP

Subject: Comments on Administrative Consent Order No. 10184

Message:

Attention: Office of Legal Services, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, 601 57th Street SE, Charleston, WV 25304 I am writing regarding Administrative Consent Order No. 10184 with APG Polytech, LLC (APG), located in Apple Grove, WV. APG has a history of disregarding schedules of compliance and releasing amounts of 1,4-dioxane (1,4-D), a likely human carcinogen, higher than permit limits into the Ohio River. 1,4-D is being released into the zone of peripheral concern for the WV American Water Huntington District at levels that exceed the EPA’s health advisory in drinking water. EPA has determined that industrial releases of 1,4-D to drinking water supplies present an unreasonable risk to fence-line communities like Huntington. I urge WVDEP to enforce stringent discharge limitations on 1,4-D and hold APG accountable to the proposed schedule of compliance. WVDEP must properly consider the penalty adjustment factors in the calculation of the penalty. More specifically, WVDEP should increase the base penalty on APG due to their absence of willfulness and/or negligence, previous noncompliance history, impacts to economic benefit and public interest, and investigative costs. APG’s negligent non-compliance and disregard for project timelines continue to threaten public health. Although there can be no price put on the health of Ohio River Valley residents, $30,000 does not even begin to cover the damages that have occurred as a result of their carelessness.

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Tell WV DEP: Protect the health of West Virginians. Hold APG Polytech Accountable!

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Tell WV DEP: Protect the health of West Virginians. Hold APG Polytech Accountable!

Sorry, we're not targeting any representatives in your district. But, you can still help!

The comment period for this document is now closed. But, you can still help!

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