Years ago, industry petitioned the EPA so coal tar could get an exemption from hazardous waste rules because if they didn't, they said our landfills would fill up coal tar. Now some 20 years later, the basis for that argument, as well as the production of coke byproducts (coal tar) have moved offshore.
In 2003 about 2/3 of US supplies were imported and the foremost use is in the production of aluminum. With increased environmental scrutiny, the percentage imported is expected to increase. Details are available in this industry report (page 19):
http://www.coalonline.info/site/coalonline/content/browser/81369/Carbon-products-and-organic-chemicals-from-coal#
This point was illustrated by the sealant industry's coal tar shortage in 2006. The supply ran low here in the US of A because of factory problems outside our borders!
http://www.forconstructionpros.com/print/Pavement/Features/What-Happened-to-Coal-Tar-in-2006/3FCP4081
So just where is it coming from? Best I can tell Mexico, China and India. We can all debate the merits of a global economy, but importing 3rd world toxic waste to the US? Aren't we smarter than that?
1 comment:
You must be joking. We actually import hazardous waste? I live and work in "The Land of Lakes" and we have dredged 3 Lakes that i know of (not to mention how many watersheds). We are moving away from coal tar. As you can see from the many cities that heve banned it so far and more to come. Here is an article i responded to. Vadnais Heights, MN dredged 10,000 cubic yds out of a local lake (can't recall the name right now) and instead of trucking it to two locations within the state (costing $$$)a project including the Univ of Mn and Mn Polution Control Agency was completed last year 2010. The contaminated soil which had high levels of PAH's from coal tar(which is extremely difficult to clean out of the soil and costing tax payers big $$$)was buried (burm-like), and a pathway was built on top. All the suburbs here are keeping a very, very close eye on the results. We are talking millions saved by just the immediate clean up! They are confident no PAH's will leak for they are so imbedded in the sediment. So many watersheds, lakes...This article was in the White Bear Lake Press.
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