New York regulators have required Goodyear to implement interim pollution controls by March and install permanent systems by October 2026 to reduce emissions of the bladder carcinogen ortho-toluidine.
Emyle Watkins reports for Public Health Watch.
In short:
- Goodyear signed a consent order with the DEC after failing to limit emissions of carcinogens, including ortho-toluidine, to safe levels.
- Activists criticized the timeline as inadequate, calling for faster action, soil and air testing and updated permits compliant with current regulations.
- The plant has been operating under a 2009 permit, with emissions control devices capturing as little as 11% of harmful chemicals.
Key quote:
The order is “a slap in the face and adds insult to injury to Niagara Falls children, adults, seniors and immune-compromised people."
— Press release by local advocacy groups
Why this matters:
The emissions from the Goodyear plant are exposing thousands of nearby residents, including vulnerable groups, to a known carcinogen. Despite regulatory action, advocates argue the response is too slow to protect public health, particularly given the high cancer rates among plant workers.
