Breathe Better STL
Neighbors uniting for a healthier St. Louis region
“If you live in the St. Louis Metropolitan region, the air you breathe may put your health at risk.”
About 70 people on zoom and in the room attended the EPA meeting Saturday 9/28 on the Veolia hazardous waste incinerator permitting. Great questions from everyone!
Good job!
Breathe Better STL - Next Meeting: Wednesday, Oct. 16, 7 p.m.. Sign up below for details.
Thank you for attending!
EPA Public Meeting
Saturday, Sept. 28
1-3 p.m.
Jackie Joyner Kersee Community Center
Whether by zoom or in person, we are grateful for your presence! We exceeded our goal with over 70 participants!
Thank you to the JJK Center for their gracious hosting! Thank you to the EPA for coming all the way from Chicago. And Thank you to everyone who showed up, spoke up and helped fill the room and the zoom.
Our Next Regular Meeting is Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024 at 7 p.m. Sign up on our mailing list below for details.
According to the American Lung Association:
St. Louis consistently receives an “F” for ozone levels
Although ozone levels have decreased for the city and county of St. Louis, the 2020 report says ozone is still too high
In addition, there are particulates and heavy metals such as lead and mercury found in our air
What is Breathe Better STL?
We're a group of neighbors that have come together through word of mouth to investigate and resolve the problem of respiratory toxins we experience as "The Smell" and to make sure EPA stops the toxic air in 2024 so no more people have to suffer.
We recognize that air quality laws are in place to protect us and we intend to see that they do. The toxic air has been eliminated before, and we can do it again! Especially with all your help.
The distinctive metallic, chemical smell is sometimes so strong it burns the nose, throat and eyes, and can cause coughing and flare ups of medical conditions such as asthma.
We have united to ensure clean air for our community, on both sides of the river.
We are currently focused on the air pollution permit of Veolia Environmental Service, a hazardous waste incinerator in Sauget because their permit is open for updates and renewal.
Why Do We Exist?
EPA rule changes under the Trump administration redefined:
The acceptable levels of toxins in the air
The list of toxins being monitored
The monitoring process
The EPA issued a Clean Air Act violation to Veolia on September 23, 2021. Specifically, Veolia violated the carbon monoxide emission standard, which is an indication that equipment was not properly destroying the hazardous waste that was fed to it.
The EPA also found that Veolia failed to operate its equipment within acceptable ranges needed for proper pollution control, allowed storage tanks to leak vapors, and emitted more nitrogen oxide than is allowed.
Our Goals
To make you aware of local air quality problems
To improve the health of Missouri and Metro East citizens
To have >400 people attend a permit hearing with the EPA
Formerly the Metro Toxic Air Task Force
EPA Hearing
Veolia submitted an application for new Title V Clean Air Act permit in November 4, 2023. Their current permit expired in July 2024.
Go to www.epa.gov/caa-permitting/Veolia-sauget-air-permitting to view the current permit as well as the draft permit for 2024 when it is released.
Sign up to be informed about our ongoing progress, and to be notified when the EPA schedules their hearing to review the permit.
Smell something odd in the air? Report it here