----- Forwarded by Greg Nizich/RTP/USEPA/US on 08/19/2011 02:50 PM -----

 

From: "Kim Feil" <kimfeil@sbcglobal.net> 

Sent: 05/26/2011 03:36PM

To: <"Undisclosed-Recipient:;"@smtp103.sbc.mail.bf1.yahoo.com> 

Subject:about GM's expansion/Chesapeake on site wells 

 

General Motors is also drilling onsite of their plant.

.....

Dr Sterling, I am writing to you because Dr. Ramone Alvarez from the Environmental Defense Fund 

recommended I contact you. I was also wanting to also thank you for your work with Dr Sattler on the 

Ft Worth League of Neighborhoods.

Yesterday I attended the NCTCOG meeting where Dr David Allen of Univ of Tx, Austin gave a 

presentation of the influence of gas shale emissions on ozone levels 

http://www.nctcog.org/trans/committees/ntcasc/OGTF/052511/Items2and3.pdf which pretty much 

started out by saying that it is xylene and ethylene that are the ozone culprits being the HRVOC and not 

methane.

The presentation showed that the Maximum Incremental Reactivity for ozone was meta xylene at 9.75, 

ethylene 9, in comparison to propane at .49, ethane .28, benzene .101, and methane .014 which takes 

the focus off of drilling effluents (while recognizing that benzene is a public health issue).

When learning about xylene, I am reminded by Councilman Mel LeBlanc's statement about how the 

General Motors plant here in Arlington TX emits an astounding amount of VOC's. I also remember that a 

resident living within 600 feet of the gas wells at UTArlington tested positive for m,p-Xylene. FYI I live 

within a mile directly north of the UTArlington gas production plant.

I also live within a mile down wind (to the west & north) of GM. This information is troubling especially 

today as GM will announce their expansion plans in Arlington. Toxic risk.com showed the GM facility in 

2007 having 190 tons of which the bulk of that is

85 tons (45%) per year of xylene,

44 tons of n-butanol, and

40 tons of trimethylbenzene

I recall reading that roadside vehicle emissions need dispersion setback of at least 33 feet from humans 

(which is why I don't support bike lanes in traffic). My question is what is the setback needed if living 

near an automotive plant? I was wondering "where" the HRVOC/ozone production from GM's massive 

xylene emissions was occurring? Is it occurring directly overhead the GM plant/moving plumes in our air 

shed? Would those most closest to GM be most effected/exposed to this ozone hot spot? Where is the 

highest concentrations of xylene/ozone fallout occurring? Would those people at Six Flags and the 

Cowboy Stadium and city workers and those in a one mile radius be most effected?
Then my next question is about the Jacobson Effect where I understand that an already highly polluted 

area under the right conditions experience an exponential ozone effect. Urban dwellers then are in 

double jeopardy in co-existing in our man made, ground level SMOG (dome like) encasement of 

pollution. How much worse then for those near GM?

I tried my best to defeat Chesapeake from having a drill site in the downtown/Entertainment Disctrict 

and I sited GM as already too taxing in my airshed. I have seen firsthand birth defects and asthmatic 

citizens and those with cancers when taking a 500 petition street venture.

None of the information I am learning makes the area near UTArlington and the Entertainment District a 

livable or visitable area. How dead on is my fears?

Sincerely,

Kim Feil

817 274-7257

Texas Administrative Code, Title 30, Part 1, Chapter 101, Subchapter A, Rule 101.4, Environmental 

Quality, Nuisance

No person shall discharge from any source whatsoever one or more air contaminants or combinations 

thereof, in such concentration and of such duration as are or may tend to be injurious to or to adversely 

affect human health or welfare, animal life, vegetation, or property, or as to interfere with the normal 

use and enjoyment of animal life, vegetation, or property.

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