No more Green Glass from Bullseye – Bullseye needs your help
March 25, 2016
Bullyseye Glass Update: 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://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://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.
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