Erie Doc Takes on Big Energy
When Erie Renewable Energy submitted plans to build a tire-burning plant in a populated area on the banks of Lake Erie, the Erie County Medical Society and president Nancy Weissbach, MD, decided it was time to take a stand on this important public health issue.
Dr. Weissbach crafted a statement supporting an independent health impact assessment of the proposed plant, which would generate electricity from burning tires. She wrote that the plant’s plans to release 354 tons of nitrous oxide, 690 tons of carbon monoxide, 179 tons of sulfur dioxide, and 230 tons of particulate matter could harm the health of Erie residents.
Erie County already struggles with air quality—receiving an F from the American Lung Association’s State of the Air 2008.
“We’re in an area of the rust belt that has notoriously poor air quality and we’re downwind from Cleveland, which has a lot of industry,” says Dr. Weissbach.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health also recorded about 300 more cancer deaths than expected between 2000 and 2004. The majority were cases of lung cancer.
ECMS and Dr. Weissbach scored a minor victory when the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection asked Erie Renewable Energy to perform a health impact assessment.
Last Updated: 12/8/2009