Environmental advocates joined Hamtramck residents in applauding the state's decision in late January to deny a permit application from the owner of the medical waste incinerator there. The facility has repeatedly violated its state permit, releasing higher amounts of toxic mercury than allowed.

Michigan Waste Services (MWS) sought the permit to convert the facility to a co-fired combustor incinerator. After considering the case, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) concluded that MWS failed not only to demonstrate a commitment to comply with conditions in the draft permit but also to comply with a current permit and consent order. In particular, the company had neither implemented a mercury waste reduction plan nor performed required preventive maintenance activities and record keeping.

According to G. Vinson Hellwig, Chief of the DEQ's Air Quality Division, "Their continued violations are unacceptable to the community and are unfair to the many businesses in Michigan that take pride in their environmental efforts." In addition to denying the new permit application, the DEQ has begun the process to revoke the current operating permit for the existing incinerator. This process will include a public hearing and comment period.

"The decision to deny this permit is an important public health victory," said MEC Policy Director James Clift. "We hope it marks the beginning of the end for Michigan's only remaining medical waste incinerator."

Members of MEC-including the Ecology Center, the Hamtramck Environmental Action Team and the Sierra Club-were instrumental in helping local citizens oppose the permit application. Large turnouts at public hearings revealed great concern over the MWS facility. Nearby residents, from teenagers to senior citizens, shared numerous stories of personal suffering from pollution exposure. They also reported unsightly piles of medical waste littering the property and described children finding used needles deposited off site by stormwater runoff.

In a letter to interested parties explaining his decision, Hellwig said that the Michigan Department of Community Health will be evaluating available health statistics to investigate the public perception that there may be high rates of cancer, asthma and possibly other illnesses in the community. This assessment will be completed in approximately two months.