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BLUE RIDGE ENVIRONMENTAL DEFEN LEAGUE ww w.BRE DL.or g G l d ale Springs, North la 28 BREDL(a�se (336) 9 691 office 336 7-08 cell A SPH A LT PL CO NT AM IN A NT Caro S 629 O F CONCE A n o ver v ie w o 7 to xic substances releas fro as palt pro ce ssing 52 f acili ties and t heir k no w n effects on hu heal As pha lt plan are BOX s our ces of air po llution that may emit significan l eve ls f bo th pa rt i culate ma tter and g aseous PO vo organic com (VOCs). T po are cons ide red to be dange to hu 88 heal th. en So VOCs are in also sus kvb car or ca nc e r c ausing agents (Fact Sheet: Info rm ation Re Asphalt C Pla nu 5 No ve m b er 1996, Ohio EPA, Division of Air Pollution Control Small Business Assistance Program). No two asphalts are chemically alike. The chemical makeup of asphalt depends on the chemica r l content of the original crude petroleum from which it is made. Other manufacturing methods which after the chemical makeup of asphalt include asphalt cement additives, higher operating temperatures, and the use of recycled asphalt paving cause increases in toxic emissions (Lette to Dr. Ernest Fuller, Division of Air Quality, Raleigh Regional Office, from Louis Zeller, BREDL, re: Tar Heel Paving DRAFT pernit #08977R00, March 12, 2001). The following are examples of seven pollutants typically found at various levels in emissions from asphalt plants hydrogen sulfide, benzene, chromium, formaldehyde, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PANS), cadmium and arsenic and the known effects of these substances on human health: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Hydrogen sulfide is a poisonous, cobrless gas that is associated with the characteristic smell of rotten eggs. Exposure tends to be a problem in communities located near certain types of industrial sites that release hydrogen sulfide. People who live near an industrial facility that emits hydrogen sulfide may be exposed to higher levels of hydrogen sulfide. Exposure to hydrogen sulfide occurs from breathing contaminated air or drinking contaminated water. Hydrogen sulfide remains in the air for about 18 hrs. after which it changes into sulfur dioxide and sulfuric acid. Hydrogen sulfide may also be released as a liquid waste from an industrial facility. It is not known whether children are more sensitive to hydrogen sulfide than adults nor is it known if hydrogen sulfide causes birth defects (ToxFAQs for Hydrogen Suffide, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, July 2006, CAS #7783- 06 -04.) Exposures to high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide may result in respiratory distress, pulmonary edema, nervous system depression, neurobehavioral effects, tissue hypoxia, cardiovascular effects, unconsciousness and death. Exposure to lower concentrations of hydrogen sulfide can result in less severe neurological and respiratory effects such as incoordination, loss of smell, nasal symptoms, sore throat, cough, and dyspnea. Some evidence suggests that people with asthma may be overly sensitive to hydrogen sulfide, and impaired function has been observed in people with asthma who were exposed to low levels of hydrogen sulfide. One community exposure study found an increased prevalence of eye irritations in residents exposed to bw levels of hydrogen sulfide. Numerous case reports suggest that high exposures to respiratory arrest and pulmonary edema can occur after a brief exposure to hydrogen sulfide. Although most people recover after exposure to hydrogen sulfide many individuals report permanent or persistent neurological effects including headache, poor concentration ability and attention span, impaired short memory and motor function (Toxicological Profile for Hydrogen Sulfide, US Department of Health and Human Services, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 2006).