Opinion: Masquerading as green, state bill would unleash toxins into poor neighborhoods

"Less than a dozen blocks away from my home and within a mile of downtown Oakland, a multi-ton pile of scrap metal threatens to spontaneously combust under the hot sun. Old cars and appliances, batteries, and gasoline vapors release cadmium, lead and zinc into the air and soil, the heavy metals and toxic particulates making their way towards dozens of schools, health care centers and my neighbors' homes. This is Radius Recycling's metal shredding facility, one of nine in the state."

"At Radius' West Oakland facility, the company has racked up dozens of violations, at least two major fires, and over $8 million in fines and settlements in the past five years alone. Two years ago, an illegal multi-ton mountain of scrap metal spontaneously combusted, forcing people across the East Bay to shelter in place and exacerbating respiratory illnesses like COPD and asthma. SB 404 would remove what little oversight and enforcement already exists."

A Radius Recycling metal shredding facility in West Oakland, located less than a dozen blocks from homes and within a mile of downtown Oakland, risks spontaneous combustion. Old cars, appliances, batteries and gasoline vapors release cadmium, lead and zinc into air and soil, sending heavy metals and toxic particulates toward schools, health centers and residences. Radius has accumulated dozens of violations, at least two major fires, and over $8 million in fines and settlements in five years. Senate Bill 404, drafted by the industry, would move regulation and enforcement to the facilities themselves, weakening oversight and worsening pollution and environmental injustice in historically redlined communities.

Read at The Mercury News