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Published on 05/12/1997 All articles from this issue

No more tires burning at Kaiser Cement, officials maintain

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By Carol Tiegs / Town Crier Staff Writer

If you are smelling burning rubber, the aroma probably isn't coming from Kaiser Cement.

The company has not burned tires for more than a year, following completion of its 90-day demonstration burn conducted last winter, said Ralph Venturino, manager of Kaiser community and environmental affairs.

"We have no permit to burn tires now, nor have we requested a permit to do so," Venturino said. "Right now we are trying to educate the local communities on the issue. We have offered tours, and we are sitting with community people to answer questions. We also send out a quarterly newsletter on the issue to area residents, including those in the southern part of Los Altos."

Tire burning offers low cost fuel and helps reduce landfill, proponents argue. Opponents, including the West Valley Citizens Air Watch (WVCAW), argue that the process releases increased amounts of lead, dioxin, benzene, mercury, zinc and small particulates into the atmosphere. At issue is whether the amounts released pose a significantly higher health hazard. Citizens Air Watch also believes that retreading tires, and recycling tires for uses such as rubberized asphalt and sound barrier panels, are more environmentally friendly ways to reduce landfill.

In his May 8, 1996, report to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District board of directors, Brian Bateman, air quality engineering manager, noted "the data (from Kaiser's demonstration program) indicated the use of TDF (tire-derived fuel) did change the profile of toxic air contaminant emissions to some degree, but were clearly insignificant when examined in the context of potential public health risks..."

Results of the Kaiser demonstration program are available at the Cupertino Public Library. For more information, call (408) 996-4158.

Firestone bill supports tire burning

Tire burning opponents are concerned about Assembly Bill 375, introduced by Assembly member Brooks Firestone (R-Santa Barbara). One provision of the bill would give cement kilns and other tire-burning facilities 32 cents for each tire burned.

"Assembly bill 375 perverts the intention of the tire tax to pay for better ways of recycling tiers, and instead gives the money to companies that are already begging to burn tires," said Marylin McCarthy, a Citizens Air Watch member.

The bill has been approved by the Assembly Natural Resources Committee as a means to encourage recycling and reduce landfill.

West Valley Citizens Air Watch may be reached at (408) 255-6220 or 973-8679.