February 19, 2021

Duckworth, Durbin and Kelly Request Independent Review of Southeast Side Metal Recycling Plant’s Health Risks

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] —U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) are calling for a review of the health risks associated with emissions from the Reserve Marine Terminals and the South Shore Recycling facilities located on Chicago’s Southeast Side. In a letter to Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Administrator Rochelle Walensky, the Members requested a health consultation to review and analyze particulate matter and metal exposures in the air at the two facilities owned by the Reserve Management Group (RMG). RMG is currently seeking approval to expand metal recycling operations at this site, which has prompted outcry from local community members.

“There is an urgent need for an ATSDR health consultation at this site because the City of Chicago Department of Public Health is currently evaluating a permit application by a company that seeks to construct and operate a car- and metal shredding facility at this location,” the Members wrote. “It is critical that local officials have a clear, independent and expert evaluation of the existing public health hazard posed by these facilities and the potential to increase or lower public health hazard risks as a result of permitting this construction to move forward.”

ATSDR health consultations are verbal or written responses to specific requests for information about health risks related to a specific site, a chemical release or presence of hazardous material. These public health reviews help prevent or mitigate harmful exposures through recommendations that lead to specific actions aimed at safeguarding public health, such as restricting use of or replacing water supplies; intensifying environmental sampling; restricting site access; or removing the contaminated material.

The Senate’s Environmental Justice Caucus, of which Senator Duckworth is a co-founder and Senator Durbin is a member, aims to raise awareness of the many environmental and pollution issues that have created public health challenges, which disproportionately impact low-income communities and communities of color. The caucus seeks to help those communities advocate for themselves with the federal government by providing expertise and assistance, generating legislation and organizing hearings and events.

The full letter is available here and included below.

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, MD, MPH
Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Administrator, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
395 E Street SW
Suite 9100
Washington, DC 20201

Dear Dr. Walensky:

We write to request that the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) conduct a health consultation to review and analyze particulate matter and metal exposures in the air at the Reserve Marine Terminals facility and the South Shore Recycling facility located at 11600 S Burley Avenue, Chicago, IL 60617.

As you are aware, ATSDR health consultations – verbal or written responses to specific requests for information about health risks related to a specific site, a chemical release or presence of hazardous material – may help prevent or mitigate harmful exposures by leading to specific actions to safeguard public health. This includes, but is not limited to: restricting use of or replacing water supplies; intensifying environmental sampling; restricting site access; or removing the contaminated material. ATSDR health consultations may also inform and result in additional public health measures, such as health surveillance and exposure studies.

There is an urgent need for an ATSDR health consultation at this site because the City of Chicago Department of Public Health is currently evaluating a permit application by a company that seeks to construct and operate a car- and metal shredding facility at this location. It is critical that local officials have a clear, independent and expert evaluation of the existing public health hazard posed by these facilities and the potential to increase or lower public health hazard risks as a result of permitting this construction to move forward.

Thank you in advance for your consideration of our request for an ATSDR health consultation.