EPA report says Kentucky Westlake chemical plant puts citizens, workers at risk for major health problems
CALVERT CITY, Ky. (KBSI) – A factory in West Kentucky is receiving a lot of attention from environmentalists after the EPA reported very high levels of volatile organic compounds coming from the factory for the second time since 2022.
The U.S. Enviromental Protection Agency (EPA) has been monitoring for toxic air pollution around the Westlake factory in Calvert City and found a dangerous amount of volatile organic compounds including Ethylene Dichloride in the air.
Exposure to Ethylene Dichloride over a period of time can cause long-term health effects and Cancer. Gene Colburn is the mayor for Calvert city, and he says local officials are waiting for the public information’s meeting that will be held by the Kentucky Department of Air Quality and the EPA to know what the next steps will be.
“EPA notified local officials, pre–notified us of a release of a report and most importantly they announced that there’s a public information session that’s going to be held in Calvert City,” said Colburn.
The EPA is able to keep track of the air quality around Calvert City through three different air monitors and alarmingly one of the monitors is located at the Marshall County elementary school. The Westlake factory employs around 16,000 people.
Thats a lot of jobs for a smaller community like Calvert City.
“A big part of not just the employment picture, in not just this community, but the region and this information is concerning to the community of course and many in the community are here because of the chemical plants and are used to working in them or family working in them.”
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Westlake received a fine in 2022 and was warned about the amount of pollution several of its factory’s were putting out.
To know what the next steps are for the community you can attend a community meeting that will be held at the Marshall County Library in Calvert City on February 13 from 6–8 p.m. or you may attend virtually.
For more information on the EPA’s findings or the community meeting.
