THE BIGGEST POLLUTER—The Delaware River Ferro Corp. plant topped our air pollution list by releasing 51,490 pounds of carcinogens and 26,000 pounds of a developmental toxin into New Jersey’s air in 2005.

Ramping Up Our Call For A Toxics-Free New Jersey

This summer we stepped up our efforts to move policy-makers toward a toxics-free New Jersey.

Beginning with press conferences at hazardous waste sites, we called on candidates for state office to support our platform for a toxics-free future.

Later in the summer we released “Airborne Toxic Pollution and Health: An Analysis of Toxic Chemicals Released to New Jersey’s Air in 2005.” We also met with several candidates, delivering postcards from their constituents asking them to support our toxics-free future platform.

Throughout the summer, our citizen outreach staff spoke with thousands of members and potential members across the state about the issues.

Industrial Sources
Hundreds of New Jersey industries spew toxic chemicals into our air, water and soil.

These chemicals have negative health effects—in some instances causing cancer, developmental or reproductive problems.

In many cases, toxics are suspected of causing neurological and respiratory problems.

This summer’s report focused on releases of cancer and developmental problem-causing toxics to New Jersey’s air during 2005.

Nine New Jersey industrial plants each pumped over 15,000 pounds of carcinogens into our air in 2005, and eight plants each added over 20,000 pounds of developmental toxins. These polluters were scattered across New Jersey, with five in South Jersey, three in North Jersey, and one in Central Jersey.

In New Jersey, a small and densely populated state, avoiding airborne pollution is essentially impossible.