The Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Region 7 of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have agreed to renew the hazardous waste permit for Ash Grove Cement Co., Chanute, Kan.
Ash Grove started burning hazardous waste as fuel in 1988 and built a new kiln system in 2000. The kiln system allowed cement production to triple without any significant change in the usage of hazardous waste fuels.
The renewed permit allows Ash Grove to continue storage of hazardous waste in containers and in tanks and to burn hazardous waste in the cement kiln. The permit also contains technical and regulatory requirements to protect public health and the environment.
KDHE’s Division of Health, in coordination with the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, is reviewing pertinent health and medical information to respond to health concerns raised by residents of Chanute during the public comment period. A report on findings will be prepared by early fall 2010, and a public meeting will be scheduled in Chanute to present those findings.
Based on the findings and recommendations of this review, KDHE will provide information to the community and make appropriate recommendations to ensure protection of public health and the environment. In addition, if the assessment demonstrates the need for changes to the Ash Grove permit, KDHE and EPA can initiate the regulatory process to make appropriate modifications.