News Advisory from Eastside Portland Air Coalition

March 8, 2016

BULLSEYE'S NEW FILTER NOT UP TO EPA STANDARDS IT LOBBIED TO AVOID

Eastside Portland Air Coalition (EPAC) response:

Bullseye Glass has applied to install a filter on only 1 of its at least 19 furnaces.

EPAC is cautiously optimistic about this development, but given Bullseyes history of lobbying
against pollution controls and unwillingness to sit down with its neighbors to talk, we have a lot of
questions. These questions revolve around the effectiveness of the proposed system, and the timeline for
implementation on all of Bullseyes furnaces.
The one filter that Bullseye proposes to install is supposed to reduce emissions of particulate matter
from 2 lb/ton to .2 lb/ton, a 90% reduction. This is still ten times the amount that would have been allowed
under proposed 2007 EPA regulations, from which Bullseye successfully lobbied to be exempt. The EPA
would have required them to cut particulate matter emissions to .02 lb/ton.
If Bullseye cuts its emissions by 90%, the levels of toxics released may still be above benchmark
levels. For example, 10% of the cadmium measured in the air in October 2015 is still five times higher than
Oregons health benchmark levels. For arsenic, levels would remain at 16 times benchmark levels. And
chromium remains a dangerous question mark, since DEQ did not distinguish between hexavalent and
trivalent chromium in its monitoring.
Transparency is essential to restoring trust. EPAC demands a seat at the table in discussions between
DEQ and Bullseye on this system and other issues of neighborhood safety.
Filtration is complex, and Bullseye has lost the trust of its neighbors. It is critical that DEQ require
independent evaluation of this filter systems effectiveness, including stack testing, both pre- and postinstallation, to establish a baseline and measure effectiveness. A filtration expert who is not on Bullseyes
payroll must ensure that an effective filter is being installed, taking into account particulate size, heat,
toxics that might be emitted in gaseous form, and other complicating factors.
Resources
Bullseye filter permit showing proposed effectiveness:
https://lookaside.fbsbx.com/file/Notice%20of%20Intent%20to%20Construct.pdf?token=AWxRa0DTrRSr
DdshMOTis6tdKvC09K2XtiahzKr0omNb0ZkfciWeBwqRRfcipo3fXndlBK3uSjQHvxEhaZXmkV92rUBEmHz5xG7FIHmM9O0nA (p. 3)
Portland Mercury article detailing proposed 2007 EPA regulation:
http://www.portlandmercury.com/blogtown/2016/03/04/17729758/by-making-murky-claims-aboutperiodic-furnaces-bullseye-glass-skirted-epa-regulation

October air monitoring results from DEQ : http://www.deq.state.or.us/nwr/docs/PowellSE22nddata.pdf

DEQ file showing number of furnaces for Bullseye:

https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/2723120/AQ-Permit-26-3135-Bullseye-Glass-CoMultnomah.pdf (p. 135)
Resource on filtration options: http://www.plastep.eu/fileadmin/dateien/Events/2012/2071627_Summer_School/6._Vasarevicius_Air_Treatment_PlasTEP_2012.pdf

Eastside Portland Air Coalition eastsideportlandair@gmail.org or 503-381-8407