Usk / Newport Resident Risk ALERT

MUST READ!

As a Pend Oreille County resident, I am deeply concerned about the proposed Silicon Smelting operation proposed for Pend Oreille county. This facility is going to be located on 80 acres next to Ponderay Newsprint in Usk.

All smelting operations, no matter what kind or what process they utilize, or how advanced they may be, produce significant amounts of toxic wastes, byproducts and fugitive emissions (escaped gasses and fumes). They also produce excessive amounts of dangerous dust (to humans and wildlife) and harmful particulates during operation. Some byproducts are sold, others are not and can be stored onsite in unprotected pits. Extremely dangerous chemicals are also used, which will have to delivered by commercial transport through our communities. Accidents / spills / shutdown are COMMON with smelting operations.

Pend Oreille County Economic Development Council, Pend Oreille County and the State of Washington sold you out.


HiTest Sand Inc., a Canadian company, proposes to process 150,000 tons of silica sand (up to 800,000 tons by rail) each year into the Usk community for its proposed silicon smelting operation. Consuming upwards of 90 megawatts of energy each year, the smelting operation has many potential hazards. These undisclosed long-term risks (decades) to residents, the community, wildlife and the environment are absolutely enormous.

Dangerous chemicals are used in the processing step, including: Hydrochloric Acid, Trichlorosilane, Hydrogen, Silane (extremely explosive). Many of these chemicals will arrive by truck or by train (community risk).

Toxic amounts of particulate dust (to humans and wildlife) are created (even respirators are insufficient for workers). Tremendous amounts of waste are also generated and will require long-term safe storage (somewhere).

Wastes included silicon tetrachloride (extremely toxic), processed impurities (aluminum, iron, copper, selenium, etc.) and are often simply stored in open unlined pits exposed to the environment. The location is in close proximity to the Pend Oreille River and guarantees eventual leakage into the environment. Fish and wildlife are also at risk from shifting winds. Any downstream / downwind residences and communities will be exposed to dangerous air-borne particulates, chemicals and fumes. Up to 80% of the materials used in processing can be discarded as wastes.

Extremely dangerous and toxic gasses (volitiles) are also used and created during processing, including Carbon Monoxide, Hydrogen, Sulfur Hexaflouride (SF6), Silicon Tetrafluoride (SiF4), Sulfur Difluoride (SF2), Silane (SiH4), Tetrafluorosilane (SiF4), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2). Fugitive gasses can and do escape processing facilities.

The Usk location appears to be selected based on several factors, including a rural and uninformed population to the risk of silicon smelting operations.

The processing involves conversion of metallurgical grade silicon using hydrochloric acid and copper to produce a gas called trichlorosilane (HSiCl3). The trichlorosilane is then distilled to remove remaining impurities, which typically include chlorinated metals of aluminum, iron, and carbon. It is finally heated or reduced with hydrogen to produce silane (SiH4) gas. (1)

Poisonous silicon tetrachloride liquid is a severe environmental hazard. Silicon tetrachloride makes the soil too acidic for plants, causes severe irritation to living tissues, and is highly toxic when ingested or inhaled. (2)

The byproduct of polysilicon production - silicon tetrachloride - is a highly toxic substance that poses severe environmental hazards. When exposed to humid air, silicon tetrachloride transforms into acids and poisonous hydrogen chloride gas, which can make people who breathe the air dizzy and can make their chests contract.

Illness and disease surround these type of operations, including pulmonary fibrosis, cancers (lung, stomach, colon, prostate, liver, pancreatic, etc.) with incidents rise 1.5 to 1.7 times the normal rate. (3)

Unfortunately, many of these new technologies use toxic, explosive, corrosive, or potentially carcinogenic materials, such as cadmium and selenium. Silicon smelting is a environmental and health hazard.

Pend Oreille county residents cannot allow this to happen.
 
Contact your local representatives immediately (see bottom of this page) and stop this atrocity from occurring before it is too late. Your LIFE and YOUR FUTURE is on the line. 

The health of the entire community is at risk, including the Pend Oreille River and wildlife. For the few jobs that this proposal offers, it is simply not worth it for a lifetime and more of health hazards. At risk are the residents, air and soil, water quality and safety and the surrounding environment.

1. A Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition White Paper
http://svtc.org/wp-content/uploads/Silicon_Valley_Toxics_Coalition_-_Toward_a_Just_and_Sust.pdf

2. Richard Bolmen, Semiconductor Safety Handbook, Noyes Publications, Westwood, NJ, 1998.

3. Cancer Incidence among Workers in the Norwegian Silicon Carbide Industry  https://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/153/10/978.full.pdf

Additional reading sources (recommended):
Company picks Usk over Addy plant
http://chewelahindependent.com/company-picks-usk-addy-plant/

To qualify as a Project of Statewide Significance, Department of Commerce said, “a project must be a private industrial development with private capital investment in manufacturing or research and development, or development that will provide a net environmental benefit. Additional criteria include providing significant economic benefit to the local or state economy and alignment with the state’s comprehensive plan for economic development.”

No net environmental benefit is even remotely possible when considering the amount of coal (from Kentucky) that will be delivered and used, the extensive list of toxic chemicals, wood pulp and fiber, 90 megawatts of energy to be consumed (additional substation will have to be built) and the community risk to particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, fugative emissions and carcinogenic chemical spills and accidents. Already Pend Orielle County and the State of Washington are in violation of their own charters and bylaws. Can this get in better - or only worse?

Horse Creek Silica Deposit (mining location and reserves)
http://www.goldenchamber.bc.ca/sites/default/files/July%206%202016%20HTS%20Press%20Release.pdf

Pay attention here: 51 MILLION TONS proven reserves / 28 MILLION TONS probable reserves.

A little math reveals that this means Hitest Inc., can be processing these silica deposits at their new proposed facility in Usk for DECADES. This is also supported by their own words. 

Do you really want the risk to our health and environment to be passed down to your children when they grow up in this beautiful area? What happens if Hitest Sand decides to expand their operations further exposing Pend Oreille County residents in Usk and Newport to additional risks?

Talc Cancer Lawsuit
http://www.talclitigationgroup.com/Talc-litigation-lawsuit-attorney-lawyer-law-firm-case-results1.html

This is what happens if you ingest too much of this silica dust. This isn't even a smelting operation either, but a much simpler, smaller facility.

The Environmental Impact of the Manufacturing of Seminconductors
http://cnx.org/contents/7238FjUe@3/The-Environmental-Impact-of-th

There is a troubling trend of safety violations and hazard conditions in this industry, which has had lawsuits filed all over the world (including in Moses Lake, WA another silicon smelting operation).

The Trouble With Silicon
http://www.pv-magazine.com/archive/articles/beitrag/the-trouble-with-silicon-_100001055/86/?#axzz4IlG0q5Ng

Extreme energy consumption and toxic chemicals are used to produce silicon. "A chemical process using hydrochloric acid, and trichlorosilane then further purifies the raw silicon. Trichlorosilane is extremely corrosive and harmful to the respiratory system"

The need to "pinch pennies" also means widespread safety violations, accidental releases of toxic chemicals and gasses and worker injuries.
Environmental Impacts of Mining and Smelting
http://www.okinternational.org/mining

Heavy metals, air pollution, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide - "The mining sector is responsible for some of the largest releases of heavy metals into the environment of any industry. It also releases other air pollutants including sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides in addition to leaving behind tons of waste tailings, slag, and acid drainage."

"Even relatively efficient mining operations result in enormous waste, emissions to air and water, and a legacy of environmental contamination in nearby communities."

A Google search of “exposure silicon smelting” will turn up many more links: 

Lung Function Loss Associated with Occupational Dust Exposure in Metal Smelting http://www.atsjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1164/rccm.201002-0306ED

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and smelting operations. "Smelting requires heat and carbon from such sources as coke, coal, and in some cases charcoal and woodchips to reduce mineral ores to smelted metals. Dust emitted into the workplace atmosphere during smelting is a risk factor for occupational lung diseases".

13. Johnsen HL, Kongerud J, Hetland SM, Benth JSˇ, Søyseth V.
Decreased lung function among employees at Norwegian smelters. Am J IndMed
2008;51:296–306.

The tapping process in silicon production
http://saimm.org.za/Conferences/FurnaceTapping/147-Jensen.pdf

Smelting dust, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Design flaws / risks to workers and environment. "Operators are in close proximity to molten silicon, high temperatures, moving equipment, and complex logistics. The risk of burnsand crush injuries is high unless preventive action is taken. The tapping process performance affects the working environment. The tapping area is one of the largest sources of internal air pollution at the smelting plants. 

Silicon Smelter Facility, Kemerton Emissions
http://www.coastwatchers.org.au/charcoalition/waplant.html

Every 6 months - Carbon Monoxide 200,000Kgs, Particulate Matter PM10 5,400Kgs, VOC,s 1,300Kgs, Sulfur Dioxide 58,000Kgs. All of these compounds are harmful to our health and the environment

Paying the polysilicon piper
http://www.salon.com/2008/03/10/polysilicon_pollution/

Poisonous silicon tetrachloride wastes, toxic fumes and the "environment suffers either way". As will humans and crops as the record shows.

Moses Lake, Washington REC Silicon Lawsuit http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/environmental--safety-claims-against-rec-silicon-settled-91246809.html

"A federal lawsuit under the Clean Air Act was one of several claims and counterclaims between the parties that were resolved by the global settlement."

Semiconductor Pollution http://www1.american.edu/TED/semicon.htm
The raw material (blanks) for the semiconducters will be produced in Usk.

Explosive Silicon Gas Casts Shadow on Solar Power Industry
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/explosive-gas-silane-used-to-make-photovoltaics/ Silane is an extremely explosive gas (transported by truck). Too dangerous to even consider in any community.

Silica Company Chooses Washington Site http://www.thegoldenstar.net/breaking_news/391050741.html

150,000 tons of silica to be transported in to Usk per year, up to 800,000 ton allowed each year, 20 years expected operation.


Washington Invests $300,000 to Bring New $300-Million Silicon Smelter to State
http://www.washingtonbids.com/business-news/1.128161-washington-invests-300000-to-bring-new-300million-silicon-smelter-to-state.html

Here's where the local Pend Oreille Economic Development Council sold you and I out. The alleged "high-paying jobs" will not go to local workers (read article carefully, Tri-County and Spokane were mentioned), but out of state / out of area skilled workers in smelting operations who will all need housing. This will drive up property prices (and taxes), exacerbating an already bad situation in Pend Oreille County. And there is absolutely no mention of the health or environmental hazards.

No smelting operation is "clean", nor is there any such thing as "clean energy" as the record shows. These are buzzwords to gloss over their toxic pollutive nature and the risks they pose to human health and the environment.
 
The "voluntary expedited permitting treatment by local governmental bodies" is where Pend Oreille County employees intend to screw us all over. This is why there has been very little to none public exposure of this activity, even the Newport Miner newspaper was chastised over releasing "information too soon".


Silicon Metal Plant At Bakki
http://www.agaportal.de/pdf/nachhaltigkeit/eia/eia_island_silizium.pdf

This is a smaller operation (52mw) and 150 jobs. Review the following carefully:

Environmental Impact Assessment 

This EIS addresses the environmental aspects that may be subject to considerable impacts due to the project’s realization, both during construction and operation. Emphasis is put on  the  following  environmental  aspects: Air Quality and Climate, Noise, Marine and  coastal areas, Flora, Birds, Landscape and Visual impacts, Archaeological remains, Environmental Impacts during Construction , Social impacts, and Risk and security.

Air Quality and Climate 

The effects of emissions on the Air Quality were modelled. The results showed an increase in the concentration of particle matter (PM10), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and ammonia  dioxide (NO 2),  the  estimated  concentration  is within  the  regulatory  limit. The release of polycyclic organic pollutants (POP),  polycyclic aromatic  hydrocarbons  (PAH) and benzo  (a)  pyrene (BaP)  is  low and  well  within  the reference values. The  production  process will  release considerable amount s of carbon dioxide (CO 2), the increase is within the boundaries of the expected increase in CO2 levels, through 2020, according to the government’s action plan on  climate  change . Emissions  from  PCC, when  combined  with emissions from other metal production companies within the assigned industrial
area, can result in an increased risk of cumulative effects due to the release of chemicals in the atmosphere.

There's plenty more, dealing with Noise, Flora, etc. What you can learn from this is the Environmental Impact Assessment will say whatever they want it to say. But it won't be the truth or an accurate assessment. That is the only way the can get these facilities built and accepted by the local population.

You won't find a smelter in the backyard of this guy (CEO of HiTest Sand, Inc.) but now you know what he looks like.

Silicon processing: from quartz to crystalline silicon solar cells
http://pyrometallurgy.co.za/Pyro2011/Papers/083-Xakalashe.pdf

Silicon is not even the ideal material for solar cells (inefficiencies and toxicity), but continues to be utilized. Both the chemical route of production and metallurgical route of production create toxic byproducts and wastes (unavoidable).

Oregon embraces Intel, but in New Mexico environmental doubts persist
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2010/12/oregon_embraces_intel_but_in_n.html

In a related industry downstream (chip manufacturing), residents are pissed: "Residents near Intel's factory outside Albuquerque, a facility identical in many ways to its Oregon operations, complain that Intel emissions poison their air. They blame Fab 11X for everything from bad smells to fatal lung diseases, and their concerns are attracting scrutiny from federal regulators."

Read the comments too (they're important, too many to include here). Local residents are angry at how permitting was "rubber stamped" and hidden from the public scrutiny. This is VERY similiar to what has occurred so far in Pend Oreille County.

The bottom line is the proposed smelting operation in Usk, Washington is going to be an unmitigated disaster for local residents. The health hazards are not worth a few jobs which nobody here will get anyway. The air quality will decline, and depending on distance, will be toxic to your health. The water quality is also sure to be affected (acid rain, what goes up, must come down) as will the soil quality.

Pend Oreille may wish to improve it's tax base, and the Pend Oreille Utility District (PUD) may really like the idea of selling megawatts of cheap electricty to a new commercial customer, but is it worth the price of your daily health? I think not. In fact, I cannot hardly believe that any of these people would have even considered this.

I've spoken to several people so far, and either they know and are upset, or that didn't know anything about it. How about you? Let's put a stop to this disaster before the county spends another dime (of your money). I cannot think of a single benefit to anybody in Pend Oreille County. The only people who will benefit is the County and HiTest Sand (a rich company getting richer).

Call the following people (and don't stop calling) to let them know EXACTLY what you think.

(the online references for Pend Oreille County are SERIOUSLY defected and out of date in an apparent deliberate hiding of information on county officials).

Mike Lithgow - Building and Planning Department (509) - 447-4821
Pend Orielle County Economic Development Council - (509) 447-5569
Mike Manus County Commissioners Office - (509) 447 - 4119
Newport Miner Newspaper, Michelle C. NedVed Editor - (509) 447-2433

Senator Brian Dansel 360-786-7612 District Office (509) 315 - 4312
Shelly Short  (509) 775-8047
Representative Joel Kretz (509) 826-7203

This page / site will be updated.

Website Contact: pendoriellehealth@gmail.com