Expert: Dave Russell - 4/21/2001

Question
I was hoping you could give me some help on how to find out if what I see spilling from the plant behind my house is dangerous to my family.  It is a fine white powder which is released, usually at night, and covers everything.  The company's name is J.M. Huber (they have a website) and I believe they make some kind of filler product.  They list the products they make, but I don't know what is what.  I've tried searching, but I'm going around in circles.  My question is where do I start looking for info and how do I protect my family.  I know this does not give enough specifics, but I don't have many.  If you can just point me in the right direction I would appreciate it.  Thank you for your time.

Answer
First question you need to answer is what does the plant produce?  Second, where are you? (what state are you in?)
Second, you are going to learn to learn about FOIA, or Freedom of Information Act.
If Huber is in the US, or Canada, they are covered by environmental permits.  You have a righ to see the permits. You also have a right to demand that they obey the permits. If they don't you can get them shut down, but it often tends to be a hard fight.
The next thing to do is to call the local environmental office of the State.  Don't go to the permit engineer, but to the head of Air Compliance and schedule a meeting and get in his face!
Before you do that, you will have to do some investigation.  Call up the plant and find out what they make.  As them to send you samples or brochures.
Your whole case has to be made on specifics and not on "she said" basis.  You need to do what you are going to do in a credible and organized way.
You may also want to go to www.scorecard.org and find out if  the Huber plant is producing any hazardous air pollutants.  The information will be on their web site.
Finally, and you are a long way from this step, you may want to document with photographs what you are having problems with.  Do that only as a last step because the earlier steps  are requisite to give you credibility.
Drop me a line  directly if I can help
Dave Russell
dlr@mindspring.com