By LEONARD GRAY

Managing Editor

LAPLACE – A newly-released report by the St. John Industrial Group, representing major industry in St. John the Baptist Parish, trumpeted an improved ranking from 16th worse parish for toxic emissions in 2001 to 20th worse in 2002.

The report issued Wednesday shows that out of nine industries reporting their 2003 data, one had no change, two reduced emissions and six other industrial plants reported increased emissions.

DuPont Dow Elastomers reported an emissions tonnage increase from 469,000 pounds to 480,000, mostly in air emissions. This is, however a radical improvement over the first reporting year of 1987, when more than three million pounds were released.

Tomah Reserve registered no change in their level of emissions, stable at 1,700 pounds of air emissions.

Degussa reported a slight increase in total emissions, from 4,700 to 5,000 pounds, but still an improvement from their reported 5,400 pounds in 1999, their first reporting year.

At DPC Enterprises, a slight decrease was reported in emissions, from 543 to 540 bounds, all in air emissions at their chlorine plant.

Marathon Ashland reported air emissions increased from 200,824 pounds to 249,132 pounds and water releases increased by 41,145 to a new total of 89,900 pounds.

At Nalco, total air emissions increased from 1,748 to 1,969 pounds. Yet water emissions decreased from 34,393 to 25,147 pounds. Overall, emissions increased from 165,344 to 167,053 pounds.

DuPont reported a total increase from 462,800 pounds to 638,000 pounds, with the largest jump in off-site emissions. The report explained this was largely due to a calculation error in 2002.

Bayou Steel’s total emissioins increased from 1,681 pounds to 1,777 pounds, with slight increases in air and off-site disposal.

Pinnacle Polymers reported a decrease as well, from 129,000 pounds to 103,000 pounds, attibuted to a like decrease in reported air emissions.

The report added that most plants have implemented procedures and equipment to go beyond federal requirements and adherance to more strict regulations.

Since 9/11, enhanced information sharing and strict traffic control of vehicles, mail, railways and other security steps have been taken.

Each of the industries is also promoting the Household Hazardous Materials collection day on Oct. 23, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This year, the St. John event will be at the Plaza LaPlace parking lot, across from Taco Bell. In St. Charles Parish, it will be at the school board office and in St. James at Taylor’s Express in Gramercy.