In a recent interview with WKBW, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner, Basil Mahar, reassured the public that there is no immediate risk to the community from emissions at the Goodyear tire plant in Niagara Falls. This statement comes after reports indicate that in 2023, Goodyear released over 1,200 pounds of ortho-toluidine, far exceeding the DEC's recommended limit of 100 pounds. The plant has a troubling history of occupational bladder cancer outbreaks among its workers with federal health investigators finding that the disease affected employees at a rate four times higher than the national average.
Ortho-toluidine is a known human carcinogen linked to bladder cancer while DPA is a possible carcinogen that may harm the bladder, kidneys, and liver.
During the interview, WKBW reporter Ed Drantch pressed Mahar on the DEC's mapping of real-world scenarios regarding emissions. Mahar responded, “That’s what we build and are going to continue to require the company to do as they put in new emission controls.” He emphasized that ongoing sampling will help the DEC better understand the facility's operations under the new measures.
Mahar stated, “Based on the evidence that I've seen and in review with our air quality experts and the New York State Department of Health, there is no risk to the community from what the levels we're seeing.” However, he was unable to provide specific proof to support this claim, despite the DEC having issued a Consent Order and fined Goodyear $15,000 last month for failing to control emissions adequately.
Drantch questioned Mahar directly about the current risk posed by ortho-toluidine emissions, asking, “So to be clear, are you saying that there is no risk to the public right now?” Mahar reiterated his position, stating, “There is no risk to the community from the levels we're seeing.”
Despite the assurances, concerns remain among residents and advocacy groups regarding the plant's history of emissions and the potential health impacts. Drantch highlighted the frustration of community members, noting that the DEC has allowed Goodyear to continue emitting pollutants until now. Mahar defended the DEC's actions, saying, “We have had these institutional controls in place and we have been holding them accountable.”
Despite the DEC's position they they are using all available tools to hold Goodyear accountable to ensure public safety, publicly available data tells a different story.
The DEC has not mandated accurate testing of the emissions from the plant's 13 stacks for decades, affecting nearly 4,000 residents living within two miles of the facility. Niagara County has one of the highest incidence rates of bladder cancer in both the state and the nation. Just in the 14304 ZIP code where the Goodyear plant is located, 15.4% of the population identifies as having some form of disability which is more than the national average of 13.6%.
'No Risk to the Community' says DEC Interim Commissioner about Goodyear Plant Emissions in Interview with WKBW