Bullseye Glass is a local glass manufacturing company in Portland, Oregon. In May 2016 Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) reported that on May 9th and 10th the company had violated the 24-hour benchmark and released 4x higher amounts of lead that allowed and that the Bullseye Glass company was the source. (OPB, 2016.) The company responded by claiming that DEQ is attempting to close the company down. The issue had been centrally over the production of a “white opal” glass, which involves more than 100 lbs. of lead into a production furnace daily.
Oregon Governor Kate Brown responded to the situation with a 10-day cease-and-desist order, which was then extended. (Portland Mercury, May 2016.) Along with high levels of lead, high levels of cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As) and hexavalent chromium (Cr VI) were being released into the air – both are carcinogenic which are used to create varied colors in glass manufacturing. (Oregonian, 2016.) The book Environment: the science behind the stories says that exposure to these can cause acute exposure - high exposure over a short period of time - or chronic exposure - low exposure over a long period of time. (Pearson, 2014, pg. 371) DEQ Air Quality Source Test Coordinator Mike Eisele asserts that the company …show more content…
The neighborhoods that exist in their immediate production proximity should be allowed to ask questions and investigate the practices that impact their immediate health, and the company should be lawfully required to comply with these requests, regardless of the interruption to their production
Oregon Governor Kate Brown responded to the situation with a 10-day cease-and-desist order, which was then extended. (Portland Mercury, May 2016.) Along with high levels of lead, high levels of cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As) and hexavalent chromium (Cr VI) were being released into the air – both are carcinogenic which are used to create varied colors in glass manufacturing. (Oregonian, 2016.) The book Environment: the science behind the stories says that exposure to these can cause acute exposure - high exposure over a short period of time - or chronic exposure - low exposure over a long period of time. (Pearson, 2014, pg. 371) DEQ Air Quality Source Test Coordinator Mike Eisele asserts that the company …show more content…
The neighborhoods that exist in their immediate production proximity should be allowed to ask questions and investigate the practices that impact their immediate health, and the company should be lawfully required to comply with these requests, regardless of the interruption to their production