Lehigh Cement Plant Mercury Pollution

Barry resoundingly won a seat on Cupertino City Council because he believed, as did most voters, that public health and safety was important to Cupertino residents.  The most urgent issue is the toxic mercury (1) pollution caused by Lehigh Southwest Cement Plant (formerly Hanson Permanente Cement) located on the foothills next to Cupertino (2). This plant mines about 10 Billion pounds of limestone to produces up to 3.2 Billion pounds of cement annually.  Its adjacent 600 acre quarry cuts a swath 2 miles long into the side of the mountain forming a huge crater (3). Perhaps you already know about this but here are some more facts that you probably don't know about:

• This pollution emitting cement plant is only 3 miles from Cupertino City Hall and Library, near the center of town (see map at bottom).

• Built in 1939, this plant uses much outdated technology and is without a single smoke stack making monitoring of pollutants difficult (top photos).

• 20 tons of fossil fuel (petroleum coke) are consumed per hour to fire their kilns to 2600 degrees Fahrenheit emitting tons of pollution into our air.

• All Cupertino residents are exposed to pollution 24/7 year round, except during short maintenance periods, from this plant even if living miles away.

• It is the 3th highest producer of mercury pollution (from a cement plant) in the nation according to an EPA report (4).  Most of the mercury vapor comes from the baked limestone.

• Mercury from this pollution accumulate in the body and can hinder brain development in children and the unborn in addition to cause respiratory and other health complications in the very young, weak, and elderly. [see vidio below from University of Calgary]

• Mercury pollutes drinking water from nearby Stevens Creek Reservoir 1.5 mi. away as will as local creek and streams endangering SF Bay waters, fish and wildlife from runoff water.

• Lehigh is in the process of applying to dig/blast a new limestone quarry.

• Lehigh Southwest Cement Company has a pending application for another 5 year Title V (air) Permit renewal.

• Santa Clara County Medical Association and Environmental Health Committee express strong concerns about health hazards posed by mercury pollution from Lehigh Cement Plant.

Barry has joined outraged residents (5) in an effort to inform other Cupertino residents about this pollution hazard.  Most residents are unaware of this potent neurotoxin source right in their back yard.  Cupertino has the highest rate of autism in Santa Clara County, probably for good reason.  Barry spoke openly against Lehigh Southwest Cement Plant's Title V Permit renewal at the September 17th, 2009 public hearing at Cupertino Quinlan Center.  He wants to delay granting of the permit until we all know the full extent of the health and environmental impact.  Only then will anybody be able to make an informed decision regarding renewal of the Title V Permit.

It isn't just the pollution directly released from the cement plant that worries Barry.  He is also working to find solutions to the noise and pollution emitted from the trucks carrying cement that roll through our streets day and night on their way to and from the factory.

Until Barry raised the issue in his last campaign, no one on City Council had seriously address this health issue in spite of complaints from residents for years.  Barry has repeatedly stood up with Cupertino neighbors to demand that the Bay Area Air Quality Management District require the plant to disclose all of their pollution impacts before granting the company another 5 year permit renewal.