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Koppers, a coal tar plant in Cicero, has been the town's biggest source of industrial air pollution for years. Residents in the neighbourhoods near the 36-acre facility have reported white smoke billowing from its smokestacks, rotten smells, and poor air quality. An investigation by two nonprofit newsrooms, the Cicero Independiente and MuckRock, revealed that the 101-year-old Koppers plant is one of the largest polluters of toxic and cancer-linked chemicals in the United States. The plant has also been found to be in violation of state and federal environmental laws for the past 50 years. This raises the question: Is Koppers GNV a point source or non-point source of pollution?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Koppers' Stickney plant | The company's largest greenhouse gas emissions source and a global leader in producing toxic chemicals |
| Koppers' ranking in the US | One of the single largest polluters of toxic and cancer-linked chemicals |
| Koppers' violations | Routinely found in violation of state and federal environmental laws |
| Koppers' location | On the border of Cicero and Stickney, complicating the regulatory picture |
| Koppers' impact on residents | White smoke, rotten smells, poor air quality, headaches, nausea, and respiratory problems |
| Point-source pollution | Comes from a single, easily identified place; caused by factories, power plants, and municipal wastewater treatment plants |
| Non-point source pollution | Comes from many places at once, hard to identify and address; caused by urban and agricultural activities |
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What You'll Learn
- Koppers' Stickney plant is the largest source of pollution in Cicero
- The plant emits naphthalene, carbon pitch, creosote, and phthalic anhydride
- Koppers is a major polluter of toxic and cancer-causing chemicals in the US
- The plant has violated state and federal environmental laws for 50 years
- Residents experience poor air quality, headaches, and nausea
Koppers' Stickney plant is the largest source of pollution in Cicero
Koppers' Stickney plant is located on the border between Cicero and Stickney, and it has been the largest source of pollution in Cicero. The plant has been emitting toxic chemicals, including naphthalene and benzene, which have been linked to cancer. In 2022, the plant released nearly 21,000 pounds of naphthalene and 11,500 pounds of benzene into the air, amounting to more than 16 tons of cancer-causing chemicals. The facility has a history of violating state and federal environmental laws, with residents complaining about odors and health issues since the 1960s.
The Koppers Stickney plant is the company's single largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, and it is a significant producer of toxic chemicals used in the production of tars and oils. The plant has been found to release chemicals such as xylene, maleic anhydride, and phthalic anhydride. According to the EPA's Risk Screening Environmental Indicators Hazard Score (RSEI Hazard Score), which assesses the potential harm to human health based on toxicity and the volume of chemicals released, Koppers is one of the worst air polluters in the entire country.
The area surrounding the plant, which includes many homes, has been coded crimson on the EPA map, indicating that the air quality ranks in the top 5% of the most polluted air in the nation. This means that thousands of residents, including children, are breathing dangerously contaminated air. Public health experts emphasize the heightened risks associated with toxic chemical exposure in children.
Despite the concerns, Cicero's officials have stated that they have no legal authority over the Koppers plant, which falls under the jurisdiction of county, state, and federal agencies for environmental regulation enforcement. Stickney's mayor has expressed confidence in these agencies, encouraging them to be vigilant in protecting the environment and the residents of the region.
The impact of the plant's pollution is compounded by its location in an industrially dense area, with residents facing additional pollutants from sources such as vehicle exhaust, tobacco smoke, and wildfires. This mixture of pollutants further complicates the ability to trace specific health conditions to any one source. Nevertheless, community leaders and residents continue to advocate for better air quality and the reduction of toxic emissions from the Koppers Stickney plant.
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The plant emits naphthalene, carbon pitch, creosote, and phthalic anhydride
Koppers Inc.’s wood treatment facility in Gainesville, Georgia, known as Koppers Gainesville, has been a source of concern for local residents and environmentalists due to its emission of various chemicals, including naphthalene, carbon pitch, creosote, and phthalic anhydride. These emissions have raised questions about the potential impact on the surrounding environment and the health of nearby communities.
Naphthalene is a hydrocarbon that is commonly found in creosote, which is produced through the distillation of tars and the pyrolysis of plant-derived materials or fossil fuels. While naphthalene has various industrial applications, including as a solvent and in the synthesis of phthalic anhydride, it also poses potential health risks. Exposure to naphthalene vapours can cause eye and throat irritation, headaches, and, in extreme cases, more severe respiratory issues.
Carbon pitch, also known as coal tar pitch, is another byproduct of coal tar distillation. It is a complex mixture of high-molecular-weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heterocyclic compounds. Carbon pitch has been utilized in industries such as aluminium smelting and the manufacturing of carbon and graphite products. However, it is also associated with potential health hazards, including skin and eye irritation, respiratory problems, and even carcinogenic effects with long-term exposure.
Creosote itself is a category of carbonaceous chemicals that serve as preservatives or antiseptics and are commonly used to treat wood, preventing rot in outdoor structures like bridgework and railroad ties. While creosote has industrial applications, it is also known to have toxic effects on both human health and the environment. Ingestion or inhalation of creosote can lead to respiratory issues, skin irritation, and, in severe cases, organ damage.
Phthalic anhydride is an aromatic dicarboxylic acid anhydride that is produced through the oxidation of naphthalene or the catalytic oxidation of ortho-xylene. It is primarily used in the synthesis of plasticizers, resins, and synthetic rubbers. While phthalic anhydride is an important industrial chemical, it also poses environmental and health concerns. Exposure to phthalic anhydride can cause eye and skin irritation, respiratory distress, and potential long-term health effects, including carcinogenic and reproductive hazards.
The release of these chemicals into the environment and the potential impact on nearby communities is a significant cause for concern. While the specific details of the emission levels and their dispersion require further investigation, it is crucial to recognize the potential risks associated with these chemicals. It is important for industries to implement proper emission control measures and for regulatory bodies to enforce standards that safeguard the well-being of both the environment and the public.
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Koppers is a major polluter of toxic and cancer-causing chemicals in the US
Koppers, a 101-year-old coal tar plant, has been the biggest source of industrial air pollution in Cicero for years. Residents in the neighbourhoods near the 36-acre facility have noticed white smoke billowing from its smokestacks, rotten smells, and poor air quality. They report that it is particularly bad in the summer, causing headaches and nausea, and is often so bad that they have to stay indoors and close their windows.
Koppers' Stickney plant is the company's largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and is a global leader in producing several toxic chemicals used for producing tars and oils. The plant has produced as much as 17% of the American market for phthalic anhydride, 28% of its carbon pitch, and 30% of its creosote. Drone footage shows an aerial view of the Koppers coal tar plant, on the border between the town of Cicero and the village of Stickney.
Koppers has been found in violation of both state and federal environmental laws dating back 50 years. The plant has been emitting naphthalene since at least 1987, according to EPA records. Residents of Cicero are forced to navigate living in an industrial corridor, with pollutants emitted from Koppers combining with other everyday pollutants, such as exhaust from cars and delivery trucks and tobacco smoke.
While it is impossible to trace a single cancer diagnosis or any chronic health condition to any one source, Buchanan of the University of Illinois at Chicago's School of Public Health has stated that "no level is protective against getting cancer" and that people should not be exposed to more air carcinogens simply because of where they live.
Koppers released a statement in response to the Illinois EPA violations and the investigation, saying it is "committed to making — and keeping — our surrounding communities safe places to live and work. Our goal remains to prevent incidents, and when they happen, we self-report to the IEPA when we are required to do so under their regulations."
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The plant has violated state and federal environmental laws for 50 years
Koppers, a coal tar plant in the town of Cicero, has been the biggest source of industrial air pollution for its residents. The plant has been routinely found in violation of both state and federal environmental laws for the past 50 years, dating back to the late 1970s.
The plant emits several toxic chemicals used for producing tars and oils. Drone footage shows white smoke billowing from its smokestacks, along with rotten smells and poor air quality. Residents living near the 36-acre facility have complained about headaches and nausea, especially during the summer, forcing them to stay indoors with their windows closed.
Koppers' Stickney plant is the company's largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and is a significant producer of toxic chemicals like phthalic anhydride, carbon pitch, and creosote. According to EPA records, the Stickney plant has been emitting naphthalene since at least 1987. The plant's location on the border of Cicero and Stickney complicates the regulatory picture, as the town of Cicero has no legal authority over Koppers.
The Illinois EPA is responsible for ensuring the community's safety, and officials have expressed confidence in their ability to effectively perform their job responsibilities. In response to the violations, Koppers has stated its commitment to keeping the surrounding communities safe. However, the investigation by nonprofit newsrooms reveals a long history of environmental law violations by the century-old plant, impacting the health and well-being of those living in the nearby areas.
To address point-source pollution, regulatory agencies like the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identify two main categories: point-source and nonpoint-source pollution. Point-source pollution comes from a single, identifiable location, such as factories, power plants, and smokestacks, which release pollutants into the air and water. On the other hand, nonpoint-source pollution is harder to identify and address, as it comes from various sources and activities, including urban and suburban areas, agricultural operations, and stormwater runoff.
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Residents experience poor air quality, headaches, and nausea
The Koppers coal tar plant in Cicero has been the town's biggest source of industrial air pollution for years. Residents in neighbourhoods near the 36-acre facility have reported poor air quality, noting white smoke billowing from its smokestacks, a rotten smell, and a marked deterioration in air quality during the summer, causing headaches and nausea.
Koppers' Stickney plant is the company's largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, and it is a global leader in producing several toxic chemicals used for producing tars and oils. The plant has produced as much as 17% of the American market for phthalic anhydride, 28% of its carbon pitch, and 30% of its creosote. Drone footage shows an aerial view of the plant, which is located on the border between Cicero and Stickney.
Koppers has been found in violation of state and federal environmental laws for over 50 years. The plant's emissions combine with other everyday pollutants, such as exhaust from cars, trucks, and tobacco smoke, as well as soot and smoke from wildfires. Cicero's residents are forced to navigate living in an industrial corridor, with a busy railway, two Amazon warehouses, and several other industrial polluters.
While it is impossible to trace a single cancer diagnosis or chronic health condition to any one source, residents are exposed to more air carcinogens due to their proximity to the plant. The location of the plant on the border of two municipalities further complicates the regulatory picture.
The term "point source" in the context of pollution refers to any discernible, confined, and discrete conveyance from which pollutants are discharged. This includes pipes, ditches, channels, tunnels, conduits, wells, containers, and vessels. Point sources of pollution are typically easier to identify and address compared to non-point sources, which originate from multiple places or activities and are more challenging to manage and regulate.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Koppers coal tar plant in Cicero has been the town's biggest source of industrial air pollution. The plant has been found to violate both state and federal environmental laws.
Koppers Gnv is a point source of pollution. Point-source pollution is easy to identify as it comes from a single place. The plant emits smoke, smells, and pollutants that contribute to poor air quality.
The pollution from the Koppers plant has been linked to respiratory issues and other health problems in the nearby community. Residents have reported headaches, nausea, and having to stay indoors during the summer months due to the increased pollution levels.
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for regulating and addressing the pollution violations by Koppers. The company has stated its commitment to ensuring the safety of the surrounding communities, but the complex regulatory picture and the combination of pollutants from various sources complicate the issue.
