[PA-NJ Glassblowers] Bullseye Environmental Update - Your Voice Matters

Sat Mar 26 11:31:21 EDT 2016

Please also see the referenced link, information provided by Dr. William LaCourse

http://www.bullseyeglass.com/about-us/dr-lacourse-chromium-statement.html 

I was not aware that Alfred University is the only university in the USA offering degrees in Glass Engineering and Science (BS, MS, and Ph.D).

Tony Patti

From: Bullseye Glass Co. [mailto:sales=bullseyeglass.com at mail75.atl31.mcdlv.net] On Behalf Of Bullseye Glass Co.
Sent: Friday, March 25, 2016 2:21 PM
To: gaffer at glassblower.info
Subject: Bullseye Environmental Update - Your Voice Matters

 <http://us5.campaign-archive1.com/?u=3b8279f01c85a3d64e9ca2509&id=1bd06dd7e7&e=6e922c072d> View this email in your browser

 <http://bullseyeglass.us5.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=3b8279f01c85a3d64e9ca2509&id=9f888f2283&e=6e922c072d> Bullseye Glass Co.

Bullseye Glass Co. needs your help. 

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is proposing a set of sweeping “temporary” regulations that will severely curtail our production, without clear supporting scientific evidence or an understanding of how we make our glass. The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the Multnomah County Health Department have stated that there is no immediate health risk to our community. Nevertheless, DEQ is strongly considering adoption of temporary rules that are technically flawed, discriminate against two small companies unfairly, won’t improve Portland’s air quality, and aren’t necessary in the absence of acute health risks. Bullseye supports new regulations to improve air quality, but the temporary rules will not achieve that goal.

DEQ is accepting public comment regarding the temporary rules until March 30 at 5:00 pm (PDT). To read the draft rules and submit comments, visit  <http://bullseyeglass.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3b8279f01c85a3d64e9ca2509&id=e5a583da50&e=6e922c072d> http://1.usa.gov/1LtqPaY

The primary issue is our use of trivalent chromium—also referred to as Cr(III). Both DEQ and EPA have acknowledged there is no clear evidence of acute or chronic health risks based on Bullseye’s use of Cr(III). The limitations proposed are based on politics and anchored in speculation that Cr(III) might possibly change into a more toxic form of chromium—Cr(VI) in our furnaces. 

Scientific evidence clearly indicates our furnaces won’t turn Cr(III) into Cr(VI). If they did, our glass would be ruined. For more information on this, see this explanation by Dr. William LaCourse of Alfred University:  <http://bullseyeglass.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3b8279f01c85a3d64e9ca2509&id=42e0c34998&e=6e922c072d> http://www.bullseyeglass.com/about-us/faqs.html#chromium

Bullseye understands the public interest and supports stronger environmental standards for our industry. To that effect, the company has already begun the process of installing 99% efficient baghouses on furnaces that melt glasses with chromium. Bullseye Glass and DEQ will test these filtration devices to make certain they operate correctly.

As many of you know, Cr(III) is essential to us producing the glass you rely on. Scientific evidence shows our use of the compound is not harmful. Nevertheless, DEQ wants to restrict Bullseye from using Cr(III) for an extended period of time. They are essentially basing these rules on an assumption of guilt without any proper supporting scientific or factual evidence.

These newly proposed regulations are based on politics and fear, not science and fact. They come right after DEQ’s executive director was forced to resign and the supervisor of the air quality department left the agency. 

If we are not allowed to use Cr (III), we can no longer make green glass. On top of our voluntary suspension of cadmium glass production until our baghouse is in place, this new limitation would eliminate 50% of our product line. It would result in employee layoffs, huge economic impacts to Bullseye and our worldwide customers, and could even drive us out of business. 

Until March 30, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality wants to know your opinion on whether or not to adopt temporary rules that are targeted to affect only one specific industry – the colored art glass industry.They could set a precedent that could affect every other colored glass manufacturer in the United States.

Again, DEQ is accepting public comment regarding the temporary rules until March 30 at 5:00 pm (PDT). To read the draft rules and submit comments, visit  <http://bullseyeglass.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3b8279f01c85a3d64e9ca2509&id=99acb8ba40&e=6e922c072d> http://1.usa.gov/1LtqPaY

There are many issues to consider. Please let DEQ and the Environmental Quality Commission know whether you agree with the points below, and let them know how you would be affected by the temporary or permanent loss of Bullseye’s products.

1.	This is an improper use of temporary rule making. The Oregon Environmental Quality Commission should only consider a temporary rule when credible evidence demonstrates a rule is needed to prevent “serious prejudice to the public interest.” This is not the case here.

Hastily adopting temporary rules make it appear that agencies are being proactive, but these rules do not protect the public, and makes Bullseye a scapegoat. There is no evidence that emissions from the facility pose any acute health risk nor that Bullseye is fully responsible for the emissions, nor that Bullseye’s 42 years of operation have resulted in areas of health concerns in the vicinity of the facility.

If the EQC were to implement this temporary rule, numerous significant sources of toxic air pollution will remain from many unregulated businesses. Thus, the temporary rule would not effectively protect the public.

2.	There is no immediate health risk. The recent OHA studies found that there was no increased cancer risk in SE Portland attributed to Bullseye’s use of these materials. As the OHA states on its website, “it is unlikely that the level of metals detected in the air would cause any immediate health problems for people.”[1] OHA also concluded that current data shows “long-term health risks are relatively low.”[2]

Further, DEQ found no health concerns due to cadmium, arsenic, total chromium or hexavalent chromium in the soil around Bullseye’s factory. Soil samples showed soil levels were generally below naturally occurring or “background” levels of heavy metals. Keith Johnson, manager for the DEQ’s Northwest Region Cleanup Program, stated, “[o]ngoing emissions from the Bullseye facility are not resulting in harmful impacts to soils around the facility.”[3]

DEQ’s and OHA’s own statements provide that the rule is not needed to prevent “serious prejudice to the public interest.”

3.	Instead of a hasty and discriminatory temporary rule, DEQ should focus on permanent rules, based on scientific investigation and a thoughtful process to address Portland’s air quality issues. Bullseye will support that effort. These rules should give clear directions to businesses and support the safety of the community. New regulations should cover all businesses, not just target minor specific industries.

4.	With minor changes to correct scientific errors and omissions in the currently proposed rule, Bullseye Glass is willing to sign an agreement that achieves all of DEQ’s goals and allows DEQ and Bullseye to respond promptly to new factual information.

5.	The haste to adopt technically flawed temporary rules makes it appear that Oregon is repressive to manufacturing businesses and does not care about jobs.

6.	Oregon agencies should strive for proper and fair treatment of all parties, based on law, rather than responding to public concern resulting from sensational blog posts and test results with partial data and no peer review.

7.	The health and safety of the community can be achieved without forcing these businesses to close.

8.	If Bullseye Glass is forced to stop producing 50% of its glass products for 6 months, without regard to ongoing test results or added emission controls, Bullseye’s survival is at risk. We support an agreement that is similar to the temporary rules, but unlike the temporary rules, also allows DEQ and Bullseye to respond promptly to new factual information.

9.	Bullseye Glass Co. has a payroll of $7.5 million dollars. 130 Portland families and 20 other Bullseye families depend on Bullseye for jobs. Hundreds of Oregon artists and craftspeople depend upon Bullseye products. Tens of thousands of artists across the United States and the world depend upon Bullseye products.

Example message of support (feel free to use your own words):

Bullseye glass has a long history of responsible operation. I stand with Bullseye Glass in its efforts to continue operations as a responsible citizen of the social and business community of Portland, Oregon. 

Regulatory decisions must be based on science, not political issues. A leading scientist, Dr. William LaCourse of Alfred University, has said Bullseye’s furnaces do not produce toxic chromium. We urge DEQ to rely on science and fact, and not to rush to impose these poorly written and misdirected rules.

We sincerely appreciate any support you can provide right now. 

(To contact us on this subject, please write to  <mailto:questions at bullseyeglass.com> questions at bullseyeglass.com. This is the email address for our  <http://bullseyeglass.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3b8279f01c85a3d64e9ca2509&id=7d36975f95&e=6e922c072d> Environmental Information web pages)

Warm regards,

Dan Schwoerer and Lani McGregor
and the people of Bullseye Glass Co.

Contacts:

IMPORTANT: If you only have time to do one thing, submit your comment to Oregon DEQ’s public comment form:  <http://bullseyeglass.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3b8279f01c85a3d64e9ca2509&id=75fd72b750&e=6e922c072d> http://www.oregon.gov/deq/RulesandRegulations/Pages/comments/Ctoxics2016temp.aspx

Current proposed temporary rules and comment form:  <http://bullseyeglass.us5.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=3b8279f01c85a3d64e9ca2509&id=69276bf68b&e=6e922c072d> http://1.usa.gov/1LtqPaY

Oregon Environmental Quality Commission

Colleen Johnson:  <mailto:Johnson.colleen at deq.state.or.us> Johnson.colleen at deq.state.or.us
Melinda Eden:  <mailto:Eden.melinda at deq.state.or.us> Eden.melinda at deq.state.or.us
Jane O’Keefe:  <mailto:Okeeffe.jane at deq.state.or.us> Okeeffe.jane at deq.state.or.us
Ed Armstrong:  <mailto:armstrong.ed at deq.state.or.us> armstrong.ed at deq.state.or.us
Morgan Rider:  <mailto:rider.morgan at deq.state.or.us> rider.morgan at deq.state.or.us

Other suggested contacts:

Oregon Health Authority (OHA)

Lynne Saxton
phone: 503-947-2340
Email:  <mailto:lynne.saxton at state.or.us> lynne.saxton at state.or.us

State Representatives

Governor Kate Brown
phone: (503) 378-4582
email:  <http://bullseyeglass.us5.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=3b8279f01c85a3d64e9ca2509&id=c3c9094ed8&e=6e922c072d> https://www.oregon.gov/gov/pages/contact.aspx

Representative Rob Nosse
phone: (971) 217-8037
email:  <mailto:Rep.RobNosse at state.or.us> Rep.RobNosse at state.or.us

Representative Jessica Vega Pederson
phone: (503) 986-1447
email:  <mailto:Rep.JessicaVegaPederson at state.or.us> Rep.JessicaVegaPederson at state.or.us

U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer
phone: (503) 231-2300
email:  <http://bullseyeglass.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3b8279f01c85a3d64e9ca2509&id=220c55db57&e=6e922c072d> https://forms.house.gov/blumenauer/webforms/issue_subscribe.html

Oregon’s Natural Resource Office 

Gabriela Goldfarb
phone: (503) 378-5232
email:   <mailto:Gabriela.GOLDFARB at oregon.gov> Gabriela.GOLDFARB at oregon.gov 

U.S. Senators

Jeff Merkley
phone: (503) 326-3386
email:  <http://bullseyeglass.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3b8279f01c85a3d64e9ca2509&id=a2f1ac1db1&e=6e922c072d> http://www.merkley.senate.gov/contact

Ron Wyden
phone: (503) 326-7525
email:  <http://bullseyeglass.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3b8279f01c85a3d64e9ca2509&id=3b0a4dfaff&e=6e922c072d> https://www.wyden.senate.gov/contact

  _____  

[1] Oregon Health Authority, “ <http://bullseyeglass.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3b8279f01c85a3d64e9ca2509&id=d2547d1830&e=6e922c072d> OHA Investigating Metals Emissions in SE and N Portland,” (last accessed March 13, 2016).

[2] Ibid. 

[3] Oregon Health Authority, “ <http://bullseyeglass.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3b8279f01c85a3d64e9ca2509&id=7d7997038f&e=6e922c072d> New soil, cancer, urine test data show low risk for Portland residents,” (last accessed March 13, 2016). 

 <http://bullseyeglass.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3b8279f01c85a3d64e9ca2509&id=517b4e18e9&e=6e922c072d> Bullseye Glass Co. is a leader in promoting glass art worldwide through quality production of colored glass for art and architecture, research and education, and the exhibition of innovative glass art in its galleries.

Our mailing address is:

Bullseye Glass Co.

3722 SE 21st Avenue

Portland, OR 97202

  <http://bullseyeglass.us5.list-manage.com/track/open.php?u=3b8279f01c85a3d64e9ca2509&id=1bd06dd7e7&e=6e922c072d> 

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