HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT 2014
 
The results of the 2014 Health Risk Assessment (HRA) for Superior Ready Mix are below. 
 The latest HRA, from 2017, is improved. The next HRA, with data from 2020 is not available yet.

• The Cancer Point of Maximum Impact (PMI) (within the facility) is 26 in one million.*  
• One nearby residential area has a maximum incremental cancer risk of 12.4 in one million.*
• Another residential area has a maximum incremental cancer risk that falls somewhere between 10 in one million and 1 in one million.*  

Other health risks besides cancer are present. 

• There are chronic health risks. The Chronic Noncancer Health Hazard Index for residential areas is 0.81.  (By comparison, 1.0 is considered a very significant risk.)
• There are acute health risks. The Acute Noncancer Health Hazard Index for residential areas during the day is 0.96. (By comparison, 1.0 is considered a very significant risk.)

Arsenic, for example, is one of the pollutants found in emissions from SRM. 

• Arsenic is a human carcinogen, linked to lung, bladder, kidney, skin, and liver cancers.
• Arsenic can also cause other non-cancer health problems
• Both short- and long-term exposure to arsenic can cause health problems. 
• Inhaled arsenic can cause a sore throat and irritated lungs.
• Ingested arsenic (kids can put things in their mouths and eat dirt) can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle weakness and cramping, skin rashes, and other problems.
• Exposure to lower levels of arsenic over longer periods of time can cause skin changes, liver and kidney damage, and a shortage of red and white blood cells, which can lead to fatigue and an increased risk of infections.
• Exposure to high enough amounts of arsenic can be fatal.

(information about arsenic is from the American Cancer Society webpage https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/arsenic.html)

Now What?
So what will happen now that we know with certainty that the emissions from SRM are a threat to the health of residents who live nearby?  SRM is required by law to notify residents of the associated risks if they live in the area where the maximum incremental cancer risk is greater than 10.0 in one million.  That's it.  SRM has to send out letters to these residents.  Do they have to make any other changes?  Apparently not, not now.  If you live in an area with high exposure, you just get a letter telling you that.  That's it. It is very frustrating, but there is hope.  Rules have changed, and starting with emissions from 2018, if the emission numbers do not improve, SRM will be forced to make changes to improve them.

Another frustration is that the HRA which was released in late 2020 is from 2013 emissions.  It took seven years to get this information.  Can we assume the conditions are the same as they were seven years ago?  Has production at SRM gone up? And with any increased production is there an even greater increase of pollutants? Will it take another seven years to find out what's going on now, in 2020?   

It is worth mentioning that Superior Ready Mix installed a new air filtration system in the spring of 2020.  This new system is for the purpose of reducing the odors associated with asphalt production.  It does not decrease toxic emissions. The emissions might not smell as horrible as they did, but they are just as dangerous.

Here are some statistics from the HRA.  

Summary of Health Impacts
Cancer risk  is due to arsenic (~75%), hexavalent chromium (~7%), formaldehyde (~7%),
and benzene (~4%) from various emitting sources within the facility.
Acute Health Hazards  to the immune system are due to
nickel (~49%), arsenic (~32%), formaldehyde (1~4%), and benzene (~4%) from various
emitting sources within the facility.

• Cancer Point of Maximum Impact (PMI) 26 in one million
• Cancer Maximum Exposed Individual Resident (MEIR) 12.4 in one million
• Cancer Maximum Exposed Individual Worker (MEIW) 0.8 in one million
• Chronic Noncancer Health Hazard Index (PMI) 0.81
• Chronic Noncancer Health Hazard Index (MEIR) 0.81
• Chronic Noncancer Health Hazard Index (MEIW) 0.55
• 8-Hour Noncancer Health Hazard Index (MEIW) 0.02
• Acute Noncancer Health Hazard Index (PMI, Day) 1.02
• Acute Noncancer Health Hazard Index (PMI, Night) 0.53
• Acute Noncancer Health Hazard Index (MEIR, Day) 0.96
• Acute Noncancer Health Hazard Index (MEIR, Night) 0.03
• Acute Noncancer Health Hazard Index (MEIW, Day) 0.93
• Acute Noncancer Health Hazard Index (MEIW, Night) 0.03
• Sub-Chronic Lead Exposure Risk < 0.12 ug/m3
• The High Exposure Scenario approval level is 0.12 ug/m3 in the Air Resources Board
• (ARB) Risk Management Guidelines for Lead, 2001.
• Population Excess Cancer Burden 0.0009

View entire HRA

* What do the numbers represent?  
"Zero in one million" would represent no additional health risk at all. Governing agencies have cut-offs and categories for the purpose of evaluation and determination of what actions need to be taken.  It is up to any individual to decide what their personal risk tolerance is.   For example, SRM's Acute Noncancer Health Hazard Index is 0.96.  This number just barely under the cut-off value of 1.0, which is considered a very significant risk. So SRM was not required to notify residents about this or to make any changes. The government might not consider "really close" to the cut-off value as a risk factor, but when it's your family living there, do you?