Protect West Virginia’s Communities: Take Action Against Toxic Chemicals

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to designate five toxic chemicals as “high priority” for risk evaluation under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

Why This Matters:
Manufacturers in West Virginia are using two of these toxic chemicals - acetaldehyde and acrylonitrile - releasing them into our air and water at levels potentially harmful to public health. 

• APG Polytech LLC, a plastics manufacturer in Apple Grove, is discharging Acetaldehyde, a probable carcinogen, into the Ohio River upstream of the drinking water supply of the City of Huntington.
• Covestro LLC, a chemical manufacturer in South Charleston, is emitting Acrylonitrile, a cancer-causing toxin, into the air we breathe. They were recently in violation of the Clean Air Act. 

West Virginians deserve clean air and water:
EPA has flagged these facilities for environmental justice concerns. West Virginia has the 3rd highest cancer mortality rate in the nation. Low-income and rural communities like ours are often hit hardest by pollution, and it’s time for that to change.

How EPA's action addresses public health concerns:
The TSCA risk evaluation process will determine whether a chemical's use presents an unreasonable risk to the public. The chemicals will be evaluated on the following:

1. Its hazard and exposure potential;
2. Is persistence and bioaccumulation in the environment;
3. Potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulations;
4. The storage of the chemical substance near drinking water sources; and
5. The conditions of the chemical's use and production.

What You Can Do:

Tell EPA that you support their decision to list these chemicals as high-priority in the Toxic Substance Control Act to better protect the health of West Virginians.

• Submit your comment to the EPA using this form.
• Share this campaign with your friends and family to raise awareness.

Together, we can hold polluters accountable and ensure that West Virginians are protected from toxic chemicals.