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OCT 13 '98 13:25 FROM:BOB JUDD 916-444-3314 T-113 P,08/13 F-344 <br /> The 1990 source test results from the MELP facility were reported in 1995 to the <br /> SJVUAPCD as emission factors on a Ib/MMBtu basis. The annual MELP facility <br /> emissions in Table 3 were calculated based on an energy use rate of 190 MMBtu/hr and <br /> 90 percent utilization for the year. For many toxic contaminants, no emissions were <br /> detected at all. Also, two toxics in the previous tables were apparently not tested. The <br /> MELP facility emits only about 235 pounds per year of the toxics addressed here, and <br /> only 12 pounds are carcinogens. This is only four one-hundredths of one percent <br /> (0.04%) of emissions released by the Tracy tire pile fire and only three one-thousandths <br /> of one percent (0.003%) of the carcinogens. Yet, in an entire year, the MELP facility <br /> combusts approximately five million tires, or more than eighty percent of the tires <br /> consumed by open fire in one week during the Tracy incident. <br /> For comparative purposes, Table 4 summarizes emissions from the three sources <br /> discussed above, as well as a comparison with a hypothetical open bum of a tire pile <br /> one-tenth the size of the Tracy fire. Figure 2 shows total toxics in graphical form. <br /> Clearly, controlled burning of tires to produce energy avoids massive production of air <br /> pollution, including toxic air contaminants, that would otherwise occur as a result of <br /> uncontrolled combustion of waste tires as occurred In the Tracy fire. <br /> Data in this analysis were derived from third-party sources. While the authors have <br /> exercised care in ensuring the accuracy of findings presented here, we make no <br /> representations and assume no responsibilities for the accuracy of our source material. <br /> Further, this analysis draws no conclusions with regard to the health effects of <br /> emissions produced by the Tracy fire, nor do we estimate the number of remaining <br /> waste tire stockpiles in the state. <br /> References: <br /> California Air Resources Board, Air Toxics Emission Inventory Database. <br /> USEPA, 1957, Air Emissions from Scrap Tire Combustion, Report No. EPA-600/R-97- <br /> 115, October 1997 <br /> 5 <br />