Foxconn's Air Pollution: Impact And Accountability

Foxconn's Wisconn Valley Science and Technology Park in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, has been a source of concern for environmentalists and health experts. The manufacturing complex, which produces liquid crystal display panels, is expected to contribute significantly to air pollution in the region, particularly in Racine County, where it will increase volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) by about 4%. This will result in more ozone, exacerbating respiratory issues such as asthma and chronic bronchitis, and causing negative health outcomes for those living and working in the area. Despite these concerns, the state has granted preliminary approval for air pollution control permits, and the company has received substantial subsidies and exemptions from environmental rules.

Foxconn's manufacturing complex will increase air pollution in Wisconsin

Foxconn's Wisconn Valley Science and Technology Park in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, is a $10 billion manufacturing complex that was heavily incentivized by former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and praised by former US President Donald Trump. Despite the economic benefits, the plant is expected to increase air pollution in Wisconsin.

Foxconn was given large exemptions from environmental regulations, and the Walker administration rolled back air pollution limits in the area of the plant, overriding objections from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) staff. This meant that Foxconn would not need to install more effective pollution-control equipment, scale back production, or make emissions-trading agreements with cleaner facilities.

Documents filed with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources by Foxconn show that the plant will emit hundreds of tons of carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) per year. These emissions will make Foxconn one of the worst polluters in southeastern Wisconsin, with the highest emissions of VOCs. The pollutants will interact with heat and light to form ground-level ozone, which poses a health threat, especially for the elderly, children, and people with respiratory problems like asthma.

Foxconn has stated that it will make great efforts to reduce pollution and invest in world-class control technology to minimize air emissions from the plant. However, the company has a history of environmental controversies, with environmental groups accusing Foxconn of dumping heavy metals into rivers in China, which the company has denied. Given the potential impact on air quality and public health, there are concerns about the increased air pollution that Foxconn's manufacturing complex will bring to Wisconsin.

The company's air pollutants include volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides

The air pollutants emitted by Foxconn include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). VOCs are organic chemical compounds that can evaporate under normal indoor atmospheric conditions of temperature and pressure. They are emitted from liquids or solids and are hazardous to human health. VOCs can be found in paints or adhesives, even those labelled as "low-VOC" or "zero VOC". Nitrogen oxides are gases that are produced by chemical reactions between nitrogen and oxygen. They are also hazardous and can contribute to acid rain when they react with other atmospheric substances.

According to documents filed with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Foxconn's plant in Racine County, Wisconsin, will emit hundreds of tons of carbon monoxide, particulates, sulfur dioxide, various hazardous air pollutants, VOCs, and NOx each year. This will make Foxconn one of the worst polluters in southeastern Wisconsin, second only to the coal-fired power plants in Oak Creek, Pleasant Prairie, and Sheboygan. The factory will increase VOCs and NOx emissions in Racine County by about 4%, a figure that officials have deemed manageable.

The presence of these air pollutants can lead to the formation of smog, which is a health risk and can harm the lungs of individuals working and exercising outdoors. Smog contributes to and exacerbates respiratory issues such as asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that southeastern Wisconsin, including Racine County, violates the new ozone regulations established under the Obama administration. Despite this, Governor Scott Walker has requested that the Trump administration set aside these limits, arguing that much of the ozone pollution originates from neighbouring Illinois.

To address air pollution concerns, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has preliminarily approved four Foxconn air pollution control permits. The DNR does not anticipate stricter limits for Foxconn or Racine County under the new law. The county is currently complying with existing ozone limits and plans to collaborate with Foxconn before the new regulations take effect. The DNR is reviewing Foxconn's permits and may require additional emissions cuts beyond the company's current proposals.

Foxconn's plant will emit hundreds of tons of carbon monoxide and other hazardous pollutants

Foxconn's $10 billion Wisconn Valley Science and Technology Park in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, will be a major source of air pollution in the region. According to documents filed with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the plant will emit hundreds of tons of carbon monoxide, particulates, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and other hazardous air pollutants each year.

The emissions from the plant will significantly contribute to air pollution in southeastern Wisconsin, with VOCs and NOx being the most significant pollutants. These compounds react with heat and light during the summer to form ground-level ozone, which is a major component of smog. Smog poses a serious health risk, particularly for individuals with respiratory conditions such as asthma, and can lead to reduced lung function for those working or exercising outdoors.

The impact of Foxconn's emissions on air quality has raised concerns among environmental groups and the public. The company has faced criticism for its potential to worsen air pollution in an area already struggling with smog issues. In response, Foxconn has defended its commitment to complying with all applicable laws and regulations, while also arguing that the ozone issue in Racine County is primarily due to air pollution transported from upwind states.

To address the air pollution concerns, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has been reviewing Foxconn's permits and is expected to require additional emissions cuts beyond the company's initial proposals. The DNR has given preliminary approval for four Foxconn air pollution control permits, and the final decision is pending the consideration of public comments. The DNR's approval is crucial, as without it, Foxconn would not be able to legally operate in the state.

While Foxconn's plant will undoubtedly contribute to air pollution, the company has been exempted from certain environmental rules and has received support from Governor Scott Walker and Republicans in Wisconsin. Walker rolled back air pollution limits in the area of the plant, allowing Foxconn to avoid stricter emissions control requirements. Additionally, Walker and the Trump administration overruled objections from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) staff, who had determined that Racine County exceeded tougher ozone regulations established under the Obama administration.

Racine County, Wisconsin, already has issues with summer smog

Racine County, Wisconsin, already faces issues with summer smog, and the establishment of the Foxconn plant is expected to further contribute to air pollution in the area. The plant will emit hundreds of tons of carbon monoxide, particulates, sulfur dioxide, hazardous air pollutants, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) annually, according to records filed with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Racine County already exceeds the tougher ozone requirements established under the Obama administration, and the additional emissions from the Foxconn plant will likely exacerbate this issue.

The manufacturing of liquid crystal display panels by Foxconn requires a significant amount of water, and the company has sought permission to extract up to 7 million gallons of water per day from Lake Michigan. This has raised concerns about water pollution and the potential impact on the Great Lakes ecosystem. The DNR has given preliminary approval for four Foxconn air pollution control permits, but it is unclear how effective these will be in mitigating the expected increase in air pollution.

The impact of the Foxconn plant on air quality in Racine County is a significant concern for residents and environmentalists. The factory will increase volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides pollutants by about 4% in Racine County, according to the state's air management staff. While officials have deemed this increase "manageable," it is important to note that smog can pose serious health risks, particularly for individuals working and exercising outdoors. The ozone and fine particle pollution have been linked to respiratory problems, including asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The Foxconn plant in Racine County, Wisconsin, has sparked debates and concerns about its potential impact on the environment and public health. While supporters tout the economic benefits and job creation, critics argue that the plant's emissions and water usage will have detrimental effects on air and water quality in the region. As the plant becomes operational, it remains to be seen whether the pollution control measures in place will be sufficient to mitigate the expected increase in air pollution, especially during the summer months when smog is already a concern in Racine County.

The company has been exempted from Wisconsin's environmental rules regarding wetlands and streams

The Wisconn Valley Science and Technology Park is a technology manufacturing complex located in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin. The state of Wisconsin agreed to host a $10 billion Foxconn plant that would manufacture advanced liquid crystal display panels. The plant was expected to create up to 13,000 jobs, and the company was to receive $3 billion in subsidies.

However, the deal was criticized by environmentalists for exempting the factory from Wisconsin's environmental rules, including granting extensive water rights. Foxconn was exempted from state wetlands regulations and an extensive environmental analysis. The company was also allowed to draw 7 million US gallons (26 million liters) of water per day from Lake Michigan, which was seen as a bad deal for Wisconsin. This decision went against the rules and regulations of the Great Lakes Compact, which makes it difficult to divert so much lake water to a private company.

In addition to the wetlands exemptions, the state also rolled back air pollution limits in the area of the plant, overruling objections of Environmental Protection Agency staff. The plant was estimated to contribute significantly to air pollution in the region, with documents filed showing that the plant would emit hundreds of tons of carbon monoxide, particulates, sulfur dioxide, various hazardous air pollutants, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) each year. The increased air pollution would result in more ozone, which has severe respiratory health consequences.

Despite these concerns, the state of Wisconsin defended the package of incentives, stating that the manufacturer would still have to comply with environmental laws. The exemptions were part of a larger effort to attract the Taiwan-based company to build its plant in Wisconsin, as other Great Lakes states were not willing to offer as generous subsidies.

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