Olympic Peninsula Biomass Incinerators
This map shows the locations of existing, proposed, and expanding wood burning
biomass incinerators, on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State. These locations
are compared to the year 2000 census block population data. Each red dot on the map
represents 50 people. Each incinerator is represented with a smoke stack symbol and a
pie chart. The pie charts show the relative amounts of four types of pollution that will be
emitted by these biomass incinerators. Biomass incinerators emit many different types
of harmful pollution, including dioxins; for simplicity only four types of pollution have
been charted here. Each pie chart is numbered for cross reference. The following table
shows the reference numbers and the raw data that went into each pie chart.
Harmful Pollutants emitted in tons per year
Company
Megawatts
Produced
Particulate Nitrogen
Matter
Oxides
Sulfur
Oxides
Carbon
Monoxide
1) Adage, NOC 1
2) Solomon, NOC 1
3) Simpson, 2003 3
4) Sierra Pacific, 2008 3
5) Grays Harbor Paper 4
6) Quileute Valley 2
7) Clallam County 2
8) Nippon, NOC 1
9) PT Paper, Boiler NOC 1
65
31
14
18
18
0.75
5
20
15+25=40
195
66
109
8
105
2
21
36
178
149
147
0
38
3
2
30
152
80
248
248
258
314
570
3
59
643
841
248
248
60
114
246
3
19
184
494
Red=proposed incinerators, Purple=existing Incinerators, Orange= expanding incinerators
Sources
1 ORCAA or Ecology Notice of Construction
2 Modeled from ADAGE projections
3 ORCAA Actual emissions
4 NAAQS 1996 Boiler only
These numbers only include pollution that will be, or is, emitted from biomass
combustion. These numbers do not include pollution from the pulp mills and saw mills
that host biomass incinerators.
The projected pollution numbers for incinerators that have not been built came from the
companies who want to build the incinerators, and their numbers may be lower than
what will actually be released. The following chart graphs the emissions projected to be
released by ADAGE (1) and Solomon (2). Note that the ADAGE incinerator will be over
twice as big as the Solomon incinerator, but ADAGE and Solomon both say they will
release the same amounts of NOX, SO2, and CO, and those levels are just below the
level that would require a more stringent permitting process.
Sources:
ADAGE and
Solomon
Notice of
Construction
permits filed
with ORCAA.
“It is very interesting to note the discrepancies in the amounts of pollutants between the SREC [Solomon]
and the Adage applications. The SREC facility is roughly half the size of the Adage proposed facility yet
the numbers achieved via the “modeling” of the plants are extremely different in terms of the ratios when
you account for the factor of 2. Both will utilize identical fuel sources and both will employ very similar
pollution control technology”. - Dr. Greg Helms in his letter to the City of Shelton Planning department.
Six criteria air pollutants have been identified by the EPA, as the most serious, they are:
carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, ozone, particulate matter, and lead.
All of these pollutants are released in the process of biomass incineration. This map
only examines four of the six most serious pollutants.
Fine Particulate Matter:
“Particles of special concern to the protection of lung health are those known as fine
particles, less than 2.5 microns in diameter. (For comparison, a human hair is about 75
microns in diameter.) Fine particles are easily inhaled deeply into the lungs where they
can be absorbed into the bloodstream or remain embedded for long periods of time. A
recent study showed a 17% increase in mortality risk in areas with higher
concentrations of small particles.”
“Particulate matter air pollution is especially harmful to people with lung disease such as
asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic
bronchitis and emphysema. Exposure to particulate air pollution can trigger asthma
attacks and cause wheezing, coughing, and respiratory irritation in individuals with
sensitive airways.”
“Recent research has also linked exposure to relatively low concentrations of particulate
matter with premature death. Those at greatest risk are the elderly and those with preexisting respiratory or heart disease.”
Source, American Lung Association
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/22872507/Particulate-Matter-Air-Pollution
Nitrogen Oxides:
“Certain members of this group of pollutants, especially nitrogen dioxide (NO2), are
known to be highly toxic to various animals as well as to humans. High levels may be
fatal, while lower levels affect the delicate structure of lung tissue. In experimental
animals this leads to a lung disease that resembles emphysema in humans. Long-term
exposure to nitrogen oxides makes animals more susceptible to respiratory infections.
Nitrogen dioxide exposure lowers the resistance of animals to such diseases as
pneumonia and influenza. Humans exposed to high concentrations suffer lung irritation
and potentially lung damage. Increased respiratory disease has been associated with
lower level exposures.”
“Also, NOx is a precursor to acidic precipitation, which may affect both terrestrial and
aquatic ecosystems.”
Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
http://dnr.wi.gov/air/aq/pollutant/oxides.htm
Sulfur Oxides:
“Current scientific evidence links short-term exposures to SO2, ranging from 5 minutes
to 24 hours, with an array of adverse respiratory effects including bronchoconstriction
and increased asthma symptoms. These effects are particularly important for
asthmatics at elevated ventilation rates (e.g., while exercising or playing.)
Studies also show a connection between short-term exposure and increased visits to
emergency departments and hospital admissions for respiratory illnesses, particularly in
at-risk populations including children, the elderly, and asthmatics.”
“EPA’s National Ambient Air Quality Standard for SO2 is designed to protect against
exposure to the entire group of sulfur oxides (SOx). SO2 is the component of greatest
concern and is used as the indicator for the larger group of gaseous sulfur oxides
(SOx). Other gaseous sulfur oxides (e.g. SO3) are found in the atmosphere at
concentrations much lower than SO2.”
“SOx can react with other compounds in the atmosphere to form small particles. These
particles penetrate deeply into sensitive parts of the lungs and can cause or worsen
respiratory disease, such as emphysema and bronchitis, and can aggravate existing
heart disease, leading to increased hospital admissions and premature death. EPA’s
NAAQS for particulate matter (PM) are designed to provide protection against these
health effects.”
Source: Environmental Protection Agency
http://www.epa.gov/air/sulfurdioxide/health.html
Carbon Monoxide:
“The main issue with Carbon Monoxide is its health effects. It is capable of binding to
the chemicals in our blood, called hemoglobin. It does so far more effectively than
oxygen and also stays bound to the hemoglobin for far longer than oxygen does. The
effect is that the blood is starved of oxygen, which then affects the rest of the body. The
ability of CO to bind so strongly to the hemoglobin means that even when CO is in low
concentrations it can rapidly build up in the blood. Initial symptoms of mild poisoning
include headaches and dizziness due to lack of oxygen in the brain.”
Source: Green Planet
http://www.green-planet-solar-energy.com/carbon-monoxide-pollution.html
Conclusion:
Woody biomass incinerators produce large amounts of harmful pollution and all of the
incinerators, existing, expanding, and proposed, are sited in high population areas.
These incinerators represent a major health threat for people who live on the Olympic
Peninsula.