SPSA : Press Room

(Chesapeake, VA, February 7, 2007) – SPSA is aware of planned mercury hair tests to be conducted at Hair Care by Lou Ann, 71 Afton Parkway, Portsmouth. SPSA support's the Cradock residents’ interest in learning more information about their physical health and general well-being. However, SPSA is concerned about the inferences from event organizers that the testing is because of emissions from the SPSA waste-to-energy system.
        The concerns will be discussed Thursday, February 8, when the SPSA/Portsmouth Citizen Advisory Committee on Waste Management convenes at 6:30 p.m. at the Cradock Recreation Center.
        “Mercury in the environment is an issue that SPSA takes very seriously,” said John Hadfield, Executive Director. “SPSA tests for Mercury Emissions every year on all boilers.” He added that SPSA’s mercury emissions are well below the EPA limits for mercury emissions, according to SPSA’s Continuous Emissions Monitoring system data which is required to reported and verified to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.
        Mercury is a naturally occurring element found in air, water and soil. The most common way people in the U.S. are exposed to mercury is by eating fish. Coal-burning power plants are the largest human-generated source of mercury emissions. Other exposures may result from using or breaking products containing mercury.
        The SPSA/Portsmouth Citizen Advisory Committee on Waste Management has been meeting since mid-2006. At its December meeting, environmental emissions were discussed and SPSA’s records were reviewed in detail. The report can be found at by clicking here.
        SPSA has been advised by members of the Cradock Civic League that the initial interest in the mercury tests was to go beyond the areas adjoining SPSA’s facilities, and that tests would involve other facilities along the Elizabeth River. “We encourage the Virginia Organizing Project of Cradock and the Sierra Club to continue in those efforts,” Mr. Hadfield said.
        SPSA will cooperate with efforts planned by these organizations.
        Residents interested in more information about the Citizen Advisory Committee meeting may clicking here. For additional details, contact Felicia Blow at 420-4700.

SPSA has been providing efficient and environmentally sound waste disposal services to the region and its residents since 1985. SPSA’s solid waste management system includes waste-to-energy, yard waste composting, drop-off and curbside recycling as well as other recycling programs, household hazardous waste collection, landfilling, landfill gas-to-energy and education programs. This integrated waste management system enables SPSA to put 57% of the waste it receives to a beneficial use, thus allowing the region to reduce its dependence on landfills.