The Veolia Incineration plant in Sauget
Editor’s note: This story was originally published by the Belleville News-Democrat, a news partner of St. Louis Public Radio.
It could soon be illegal for Illinois companies to incinerate a class of potentially cancer-causing substances known as “forever chemicals” because they accumulate in the body and environment without breaking down.
A bill to ban burning the chemicals known as PFAS, or per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances passed the General Assembly over the Memorial Day weekend. It was awaiting Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s signature as of Tuesday and would go into immediate effect.
Southwestern Illinoisans who live with poor air quality have raised concerns for years that an incinerator in Sauget operated by hazardous waste disposal company Veolia could burn PFAS, which is found in common household items and in firefighting foam used by the Air Force to extinguish aviation fuel fires.
Ian Bedell Rumors - MLB Trade Rumors mlbtraderumors.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from mlbtraderumors.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.