A Toxic Tour: Cook County's Biggest Chemical Releasers
By JoshMogerman in News on Jan 8, 2012 5:00PM
\<strong\>\<a href=\"http://www.finkl.com/Default.aspx\"\>A. Finkl & Sons Company\<\/a\>, 2011 N. Southport\<\/strong\>: Pretty amazing that Lincoln Park is home to a big steel business and all the pollution that such a venture entails. Well, it isnât for long, as \<a href=\"http://skylinenewspaper.com/News/04-27-2011/Scofflaw_getting_big_bucks\"\>the business has been planning to move\<\/a\> to the South side\'s Burnside neighborhood. In the meantime, though they \<a href=\"http://www.finkl.com/Green.aspx\"\>plant a lot of trees\<\/a\> elsewhere, the foundry business has a pretty massive chemical footprint in double-wide stroller country, leading the county in emissions or disposal of \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&TAB_RPT=1&Fedcode=&LINESPP=&sort=RE_TOLBY&industry=ALL&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP&sort_fmt=2&TopN=&STATE=17&COUNTY=17031&chemical=007440473&year=2010&report=&BGCOLOR=%23D0E0FF&FOREGCOLOR=black&FONT_FACE=arial&FONT_SIZE=10+pt&FONT_WIDTH=normal&FONT_STYLE=roman&FONT_WEIGHT=bold\"\>chromium\<\/a\>, \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=007439921&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>lead\<\/a\>, \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=007439965&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>manganese\<\/a\>, \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=001313275&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>molybdenum trioxide\<\/a\> (third highest totals), \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&TAB_RPT=1&Fedcode=&LINESPP=&sort=RE_TOLBY&industry=ALL&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP&sort_fmt=2&TopN=&STATE=17&COUNTY=17031&chemical=007440020&year=2010&report=&BGCOLOR=%23D0E0FF&FOREGCOLOR=black&FONT_FACE=arial&FONT_SIZE=10+pt&FONT_WIDTH=normal&FONT_STYLE=roman&FONT_WEIGHT=bold\"\>nickel\<\/a\> and \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=007440666&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>zinc fume or dust\<\/a\> (second highest totals in the area). (Image Credit: \<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyegarye/5843788874/\"\>Gary Eckstein\<\/a\>)
\<strong\>ArcelorMittal Riverdale, Inc. 13500 S. Perry Avenue, Riverdale.\<\/strong\>\r\nThe big steel company has facilities around Chicago and Northwest Indiana. The Riverdale mill has \<a href=\"http://www.arcelormittal.com/NA/Facilities/Americas/ArcelorMittal+USA/Operating+Facilities/riverdale.asp\"\>been around since 1910\<\/a\> and is capable of producing 750,000 tons of raw steel annually. That kind of production also creates county-leading releases of \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&TAB_RPT=1&Fedcode=&LINESPP=&sort=RE_TOLBY&industry=ALL&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP&sort_fmt=2&TopN=&STATE=17&COUNTY=17031&chemical=N420&year=2010&report=&BGCOLOR=%23D0E0FF&FOREGCOLOR=black&FONT_FACE=arial&FONT_SIZE=10+pt&FONT_WIDT\"\>lead compounds\<\/a\>, \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=N450&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>manganese compounds\<\/a\>, \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&TAB_RPT=1&Fedcode=&LINESPP=&sort=RE_TOLBY&industry=ALL&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP&sort_fmt=2&TopN=&STATE=17&COUNTY=17031&chemical=000067561&year=2010&report=&BGCOLOR=%23D0E0FF&FOREGCOLOR=black&FONT_FACE=arial&FONT_SIZE=10+pt&FONT_WIDTH=normal&FONT_STYLE=roman&FONT_WEIGHT=bold\"\>methanol\<\/a\> (second most), \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=001313275&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>molybdenum trioxide\<\/a\> and \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&TAB_RPT=1&Fedcode=&LINESPP=&sort=RE_TOLBY&industry=ALL&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP&sort_fmt=2&TopN=&STATE=17&COUNTY=17031&chemical=N982&year=2010&report=&BGCOLOR=%23D0E0FF&FOREGCOLOR=black&FONT_FACE=arial&FONT_SIZE=10+pt&FONT_WIDTH=normal&FONT_STYLE=roman&FONT_WEIGHT=bold\"\>zinc compounds\<\/a\>. (Image Credit: \<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/floozefactor/5298371551/\"\>Audrey\<\/a\>)
\<strong\>\<a href=\"http://www.ashland.com/\"\>Ashland Specialty Chemical Company\<\/a\>, 14303 Paxton Avenue, Calumet City.\<\/strong\>\r\nThe chemical and plastic manufacturer leads the pack on these toxic pollutants: \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=000079107&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>acrylic acid\<\/a\>, \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=000094360&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>benzoyle peroxide\<\/a\>, \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=000141322&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>butyl acrylate\<\/a\> (second most in the area), \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=000140885&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>ethyl acrylate\<\/a\>, \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=000096333&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>methyl acrylate\<\/a\>, \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=000121448&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>triethylamine\<\/a\> and \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=000108054&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>vinyl acetate\<\/a\>. \r\n\r\n
\<strong\>Crawford Generating Station, 3501 S. Pulaski, Chicago.\<\/strong\>\r\nThe bigger of two coal plants in Chicago, the TRI data helps to explain why this facility is a lightning rod for controversy putting out some of the highest levels of \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=N040&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>barium compounds\<\/a\>, \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=007647010&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>hydrochloric acid\<\/a\>, \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=007664393&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>hydrogen fluoride\<\/a\>, \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=N458&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>mercury compounds\<\/a\>, \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=007664939&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>sulfuric acid\<\/a\> and though it was less than a pound, was one of the few \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=N150&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>dioxin\<\/a\> emitters in the area. (\<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/istorija/4144075137/\"\>Darius Norvilas\<\/a\>)
\<strong\>\<a href=\"http://www.envirite.com/\"\>Envirite of Illinois, Inc.\<\/a\> 16435 S. Center Avenue, Harvey\<\/strong\>\r\nIt is probably not a surprise that a company that specializes in âthe treatment & recycling of metal-bearing liquids / solids, including contaminated solids & debris, liquid and dry waste recoveryâ might have some messy pollution. The south suburban facility leads the county in emissions of \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=N078&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>cadmium compounds\<\/a\>, \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&TAB_RPT=1&Fedcode=&LINESPP=&sort=RE_TOLBY&industry=ALL&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP&sort_fmt=2&TopN=&STATE=17&COUNTY=17031&chemical=N090&year=2010&report=&BGCOLOR=%23D0E0FF&FOREGCOLOR=black&FONT_FACE=arial&FONT_SIZE=10+pt&FONT_WIDTH=normal&FONT_STYLE=roman&FONT_WEIGHT=bold\"\>chromium compounds\<\/a\>, \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=N100&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>copper compounds\<\/a\>, \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&TAB_RPT=1&Fedcode=&LINESPP=&sort=RE_TOLBY&industry=ALL&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP&sort_fmt=2&TopN=&STATE=17&COUNTY=17031&chemical=N420&year=2010&report=&BGCOLOR=%23D0E0FF&FOREGCOLOR=black&FONT_FACE=arial&FONT_SIZE=10+pt&FONT_WIDT\"\>lead compounds\<\/a\> (second), \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=N495&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>nickel compounds\<\/a\>, \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&TAB_RPT=1&Fedcode=&LINESPP=&sort=RE_TOLBY&industry=ALL&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP&sort_fmt=2&TopN=&STATE=17&COUNTY=17031&chemical=N511&year=2010&report=&BGCOLOR=%23D0E0FF&FOREGCOLOR=black&FONT_FACE=arial&FONT_SIZE=10+pt&FONT_WIDTH\"\>nitrate compounds\<\/a\> (second) and \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&TAB_RPT=1&Fedcode=&LINESPP=&sort=RE_TOLBY&industry=ALL&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP&sort_fmt=2&TopN=&STATE=17&COUNTY=17031&chemical=N982&year=2010&report=&BGCOLOR=%23D0E0FF&FOREGCOLOR=black&FONT_FACE=arial&FONT_SIZE=10+pt&FONT_WIDTH=normal&FONT_STYLE=roman&FONT_WEIGHT=bold\"\>zinc compounds\<\/a\> (second). \r\n\r\n
\<strong\>Fisk Generating Station, 1111 W. Cermak Road, Chicago\<\/strong\>\r\nThe smaller of the cityâs two coal plants was a technical marvel helping to lead to the idea of an electrical grid in the city a century ago. Today it is the target of the City Council and community groups who feel that its emissions are not appropriate in the cityâs dense Pilsen neighborhood. Even though its electricity does not power Chicago, it is one of the biggest emitters of \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=N040&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>barium compounds\<\/a\>, \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=N150&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>dioxin\<\/a\> (less than a pound), \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=007647010&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>hydrochloric acid\<\/a\>, \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=007664393&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>hydrogen fluoride\<\/a\>,\<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&TAB_RPT=1&Fedcode=&LINESPP=&sort=RE_TOLBY&industry=ALL&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP&sort_fmt=2&TopN=&STATE=17&COUNTY=17031&chemical=N420&year=2010&report=&BGCOLOR=%23D0E0FF&FOREGCOLOR=black&FONT_FACE=arial&FONT_SIZE=10+pt&FONT_WIDT\"\> lead compounds\<\/a\> and \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=N458&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>mercury compounds\<\/a\>.\r\n (Image Credit: \<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/swanksalot/6246116031/\"\>Seth Anderson\<\/a\>)
\<strong\>Ford Motor Company Chicago Assembly, 12600 S. Torrence Avenue, Chicago \<\/strong\>\r\nSpitting out cars since 1924 (these days Explorers come off the assembly line), the giant facility leads the county in \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&TAB_RPT=1&Fedcode=&LINESPP=&sort=RE_TOLBY&industry=ALL&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP&sort_fmt=2&TopN=&STATE=17&COUNTY=17031&chemical=000095636&year=2010&report=&BGCOLOR=%23D0E0FF&FOREGCOLOR=black&FONT_FACE=arial&FONT_SIZE=10+pt&FONT_WIDTH=normal&FONT_STYLE=roman&FONT_WEIGHT=bold\"\>trimethylbenzene\<\/a\>, \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&TAB_RPT=1&Fedcode=&LINESPP=&sort=RE_TOLBY&industry=ALL&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP&sort_fmt=2&TopN=&STATE=17&COUNTY=17031&chemical=000108101&year=2010&report=&BGCOLOR=%23D0E0FF&FOREGCOLOR=black&FONT_FACE=arial&FONT_SIZE=10+pt&FONT_WIDTH=normal&FONT_STYLE=roman&FONT_WEIGHT=bold\"\>methyl isobutyl ketone\<\/a\>, and \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=000071363&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>N-Butyl alcohol\<\/a\>. (Image Credit: Kevin Robinson/Chicagoist)
\<strong\>\<a href=\"http://www.koppers.com/htm/OurCo_Loca_US_Stickney.html\"\>Koppers, Inc.\<\/a\> 3900 S. Laramie Avenue, Cicero.\<\/strong\>\r\nWhile many of these facilities are familiar, this company and its massive mix of toxins was not on our radar. Despite a Cicero mailing address, their facility is actually in Stickney and is âis capable of converting various crude tars into liquid pitch and other liquid products such as creosote, refined tars, chemical oils and various grades of coal tar pitch.â It deals with a pretty massive mess of toxic stuff, leading the county in release of \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=000120127&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>anthracene\<\/a\>, \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=000071432&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>benzene\<\/a\>, \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=000191242&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>benzo(G,H,I)perylene\<\/a\>, \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=000092524&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>biphenyl\<\/a\>, \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=008001589&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>creosote\<\/a\>, \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=000132649&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>dibenzofuran\<\/a\>, \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=000108316&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>maleic anhydride\<\/a\>, \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=000091203&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>naphthalene\<\/a\>, \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=000095476&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>o-xylene\<\/a\>, \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=000085018&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>phenanthrene\<\/a\>, \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=000085449&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>phthalic anhydride\<\/a\>, \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=N590&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>polycyclic aromatic compounds\<\/a\>, and \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=000091225&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>quinoline\<\/a\>.\r\n\r\n
\<strong\>NUFARM Americas Inc. 220 E 17th Street, Chicago Heights.\<\/strong\>\r\nThe former Riverdale Chemical Company was bought out by the Australian company in the 90âs but still develops chemicals to keep lawns and golf courses looking green. That apparently takes some nasty stuff, since the facility leads the county TRI in \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=001928434&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>an assortment of 2,4-D\<\/a\>-related chemicals, \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=001689845&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>bromoxynil\<\/a\>, \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=001689992&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>bromoxynil octanoate\<\/a\>, \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=002300665&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>dimethylamine dicamba\<\/a\>, \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=000094746&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>methoxone\<\/a\> and \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=003653483&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>methoxone sodium salt\<\/a\>.\r\n\r\n
\<strong\>Sipi Metals Corporation, 1720 N. Elston Ave., Chicago.\<\/strong\>\r\nThe North side facility deals with stuff that is not so surprising for a metal refiner, among Cook County\'s highest releasers of \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=N078&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>cadmium compounds\<\/a\>, \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&TAB_RPT=1&Fedcode=&LINESPP=&sort=RE_TOLBY&industry=ALL&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP&sort_fmt=2&TopN=&STATE=17&COUNTY=17031&chemical=N420&year=2010&report=&BGCOLOR=%23D0E0FF&FOREGCOLOR=black&FONT_FACE=arial&FONT_SIZE=10+pt&FONT_WIDT\"\>lead compounds\<\/a\>, \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&TAB_RPT=1&Fedcode=&LINESPP=&sort=RE_TOLBY&industry=ALL&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP&sort_fmt=2&TopN=&STATE=17&COUNTY=17031&chemical=007440020&year=2010&report=&BGCOLOR=%23D0E0FF&FOREGCOLOR=black&FONT_FACE=arial&FONT_SIZE=10+pt&FONT_WIDTH=normal&FONT_STYLE=roman&FONT_WEIGHT=bold\"\>nickel\<\/a\>, \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&TAB_RPT=1&Fedcode=&LINESPP=&sort=RE_TOLBY&industry=ALL&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP&sort_fmt=2&TopN=&STATE=17&COUNTY=17031&chemical=N511&year=2010&report=&BGCOLOR=%23D0E0FF&FOREGCOLOR=black&FONT_FACE=arial&FONT_SIZE=10+pt&FONT_WIDTH\"\>nitrate compounds\<\/a\> and \<a href=\"http://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/release_fac?p_view=USFA&trilib=TRIQ1&sort=_VIEW_&sort_fmt=1&state=17&county=17031&zipcode=&chemical=007440224&industry=ALL&year=2010&tab_rpt=1&FLD=RELLBY&FLD=TSFDSP\"\>silver\<\/a\>.
Pollution. We hear about it a lot in Chicago but rarely get a glimpse at who does the dirty and what they are emitting. However, every couple of years, the EPA puts out a report that sheds some light on the ugliness in our air and water.
And they name names.
We spent yesterday digging through the new version of that pollution data, the Toxic Release Inventory—yup, it was a fun day—to see what popped up in Cook County. The report details the disposal or release of 600 toxic chemicals and stands as a fascinating (well, as much as a government database can be) and unsettling look at what is going into the environment around us. The headline is certainly that toxic releases are up this year in Illinois, but we think there is more to see.
When looking at reports for each of the 120 dangerous chemicals released in our area, it is impossible not to notice many of the same facilities popping up at the top of list after list—often, by orders of magnitude—so we thought we would send you intrepid readers on a toxic tour of town. Most of the this stuff is, unsurprisingly, found in industrial areas on the South Side and south suburbs, but not exclusively. (Some might surprise you.)
Just to be clear, the data only tells us which facilities are releasing, disposing of or recycling these dangerous substances. Sometimes it is on-site, sometimes elsewhere. That doesn’t mean that there is anything illegal going on, though many of the facilities certainly have a checkered past. These are not even necessarily the worst polluters in the county, they just handle a heady stew of toxic stuff:
(Click through the gallery to see who's on the list and what they're emitting.)