————From letter to Buffalo News by Jackie James Creedon: I can’t believe I am still writing about this. It’s been nearly 15 years since I unexpectedly became an environmental activist wanting to figure out why some of my neighbors and I were sick.

We retrofitted a bucket into an air sampler and ended up discovering the deadly chemical benzene. Working with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, we discovered that a significant amount of our toxic air was coming from a local factory called Tonawanda Coke.

Because of our collaboration with the DEC and running a successful community organizing campaign using citizen science, we are breathing cleaner air (92 percent reduction in benzene) in our communities. That’s old news, right?

The latest results and news from DEC air monitors continue to show we are not in harm’s way (benzene-wise) due to Tonawanda Coke’s latest shenanigans. However, a series of violations raised red flags again last week! Now, we are still awaiting the results of the 24/7 particulate air monitor that was installed after the company was issued a cease-and-desist notice by the DEC. The reason? For violating the air permit (by over 100 times).

Long story short, Tonawanda Coke has long overstayed its welcome and we want it gone! Whether the latest air pollution results detect an elevation in air toxins or not, we don’t care.

We gave the company a second chance after the new management took over a few years. But since this time, our community continues to be on guard and we have a constant “on the edge of our seat” feeling whether or not there will be another upset or violation at the plant that we must endure. Bottom line: Enough is enough. And I think I can say this with confidence on behalf of all of us who have endured your mess for decades, “Get lost and good riddance!”

Jackie James Creedon

Director,

https://buffalonews.com/2018/08/10/letter-residents-will-breathe-when-the-plant-is-gone/