New rule hailed as major step toward reining in source of local toxic air pollution that hits low-income neighborhoods

Summary

The EPA plans to mandate municipal waste incinerators to monitor hazardous pollutants like dioxins and PFAS, addressing a major source of toxic air pollution in low-income neighborhoods.

Environmental advocates welcomed the move, which impacts about 60 facilities nationwide, requiring tracking of roughly 800 chemicals from the federal toxic releases inventory.

Critics say incinerators falsely market themselves as “green” energy sources.

While the EPA excluded medical and sewage sludge incinerators due to staffing limits, it may address them later amid expected industry resistance.