Frequently Asked Questions About the Clean Air Act Title V Permit for Veolia in Sauget, Ill.

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About Veolia’s Sauget Facility

Where is Veolia’s Sauget facility located and what does the facility do?

Veolia’s Sauget facility is located at 7 Mobile Avenue in Sauget, Illinois. Sauget is a small village in St. Clair County, Illinois, and is part of Greater St. Louis, Missouri. The facility stores and burns hazardous waste that is mostly generated offsite and shipped to the facility. Veolia receives and processes hazardous waste that is in the form of gas, liquid and solid. The facility has three hazardous waste incinerators, which are designated as Unit 2, Unit 3, and Unit 4.

Liquid wastes arrive in tank trucks and drums, and gaseous (and some liquid) wastes arrive in various sized cylinders. Once received at the facility, the wastes are stored in various buildings on the property depending on the characteristics of the material (including a special storage area for explosives). This material is then either fed directly to an incinerator, repackaged into smaller containers that can be incinerated, or sent offsite to be treated at other locations. Drummed liquids may be transferred via drum pumps to onsite tank farms.

Why is Veolia allowed to burn hazardous waste despite safety concerns associated with such burning?

The regulations for hazardous waste in the United States require hazardous wastes to be properly and safely managed to prevent health impacts. This is because hazardous waste is typically toxic, flammable or corrosive, and can react with other materials. Burning hazardous waste in special incinerators (such as Veolia’s facility in Sauget), boilers and industrial furnaces is one way to safely manage it.

Burning reduces waste volume by converting solids and liquids to ash while destroying toxic organic compounds. Disposing of the ash in a landfill is safer and more efficient than disposing untreated hazardous waste. The ash from hazardous waste burning must be tested. If it is still hazardous, it must be treated before it is disposed of in a landfill. Because the burning of hazardous waste can result in emissions of hazardous air pollutants into the air, special stringent permits – such as a title V permit – are typically required before a facility can burn hazardous waste.

What chemicals does Veolia’s Sauget facility emit to the air?

Veolia’s Sauget facility emits to the air a variety of chemicals (also called air pollutants) that EPA regulates, including:

  • Carbon monoxide.
  • Nitrogen oxides.
  • Sulfur dioxide.
  • Fine particles, known as particulate matter.
  • Volatile organic compounds.
  • Mercury.
  • Semi-volatile metals such as cadmium and lead.
  • Low-volatility metals such as arsenic, beryllium and chromium. 
  • Dioxins and furans.
  • Hydrogen chloride.

Are there other facilities like Veolia’s Sauget facility in the United States?

There are 27 facilities nationally that, like Veolia’s Sauget facility, burn hazardous waste which has been generated offsite. Within EPA Region 5, there are 7 such facilities: 1 in Illinois, 2 in Indiana, and 4 in Ohio. Three of the 7 facilities in EPA Region 5, burn offsite hazardous waste exclusively as their primary business. These include Veolia’s Sauget facility, Ross Incineration Services in Grafton, Ohio, and Heritage Thermal Services in East Liverpool, Ohio.

Environmental Justice

Are there potential environmental justice concerns in Sauget?

EPA’s guiding principle of environmental justice is that everyone, regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, is entitled to equal protection from environmental harms and risks. Communities with environmental justice concerns include those with:

  • Multiple or disproportionate environmental health burdens.
  • Population vulnerability.
  • Limits to effective participation in decisions with environmental and health consequences.
  • Opportunities for multiple federal, state and local agency collaboration.

EPA considers the area surrounding Veolia as an area with potential environmental justice concerns. Based on data from EPA’s EJScreen:

  • About 45 percent of all persons living within three miles of Veolia live below the federal poverty level. This proportion of low-income persons is in the top 24 percent nationally.
  • The asthma prevalence rate in this area is in the top 21 percent nationally.
  • Within three miles of Veolia, 10 of the 13 pollution indicators that EPA uses to determine the extent to which a community is overburdened by environmental pollution are in the top 20 percent or higher nationally.

Learn more about EPA’s efforts to address environmental justice nationally.

How is EPA addressing community environmental issues in Sauget and the Metro East area?

EPA is committed to addressing environmental issues in the Metro East area (including Sauget) and strengthening EPA’s long-standing engagement with overburdened communities in this area. Under the leadership of a coordinator for Cahokia Heights and surrounding communities, including Sauget, EPA is working to address:

  • Water and sewer infrastructure challenges.
  • Air pollution.
  • Other problems facing these overburdened communities.

EPA’s Metro East priorities include, among other things, ensuring that federal funds are quickly and responsibly disbursed to the community, and aligning agency responses across the federal, state and local levels.

For fiscal years 2024-2027, one of EPA’s national enforcement and compliance initiatives is reducing air toxics in overburdened communities. As part of this initiative, EPA Region 5 has conducted twenty Clean Air Act inspections in the Metro East area in 2024. Eight of these inspections occurred within a 3-mile radius of Veolia. EPA Region 5 operated a specialized mobile emissions monitoring vehicle in the area either during the time of the inspections or separately. Overall, in the past 5 years, EPA Region 5 has inspected or taken enforcement actions against 8 facilities located within 3 miles of Veolia.

Since the mid-1980s, EPA has been involved in extensive clean-ups at the two Superfund sites in Sauget (Sauget Area 1 and Sauget Area 2) because of the risk to human health and the environment that required emergency removal actions at those sites. Since before the 1920s, local area wastes, including chemical and industrial wastes, were disposed of in Sauget Area 1. The Sauget Area 2 is in Cahokia Heights, Sauget, and East St. Louis, and covers about 312 acres. This site was historically used for heavy industry, including chemical manufacturing, metal refining, power generation and waste disposal.

Title V Permitting

What is a title V permit?

A title V permit is a legally enforceable document containing all operating terms, conditions and limitations that apply to a facility under the Clean Air Act. It is meant to improve compliance with the Clean Air Act by clarifying what the facility must do to control and monitor air pollution.

A title V permit is required for:

  • All large facilities (known as “major sources”)
  • A limited number of smaller facilities (known as “area sources,” “minor sources,” or “non-major sources”).

A title V permit contains air pollution control requirements from: 

  • Federal, state and local regulations.
  • Air pollution control permits issued to the facility.

Who issues title V permits?

State and local agencies issue most title V permits, but EPA issues a small number of them. Federal regulations for title V permits are found at:

  • 40 C.F.R. Part 71 for permits that EPA issues.
  • 40 C.F.R. Part 70 for permits that states and local agencies issue under programs approved by EPA.

EPA has issued several title V permits for Veolia’s Sauget facility. EPA issued the first title V permit to Veolia on September 12, 2008. EPA is currently reviewing the facility's application for its next title V permit.

Does a title V permit expire?

Yes. A title V permit is valid for 5 years and its expiration date must be specified in the permit. However, a title V permit is automatically extended beyond its expiration date if the facility timely submits a complete application to renew the permit. A timely renewal application is one that is submitted at least 6 months but not more than 18 months prior to expiration of a title V permit. A title V permit may be renewed in 5-year increments.

How does a title V permit differ from other air permits?

A title V permit is an “operating permit” because it authorizes operation of the facility as long as the facility complies with specific requirements contained in the permit. The title V permit generally does not impose new substantive air pollution control requirements. However, it must contain adequate:

  • Monitoring.
  • Recordkeeping.
  • Reporting.
  • Other requirements necessary to ensure compliance with the Clean Air Act.

If a facility needs to make changes that could increase emissions, such as installing new equipment, a preconstruction air pollution permit is typically required. A preconstruction air pollution permit is sometimes called a “construction permit” or a “permit to install”.

States and local agencies issue other types of operating permits for smaller facilities that are not required to have a title V permit. In Illinois, such permits are called Federally Enforceable State Operating Permits (FESOPs) or Lifetime Operating Permits (LOPs). The smallest sources are typically required to register under Illinois’ Registration of Smaller Sources (ROSS) program, but a specific “permit” is not required.

Veolia’s Title V Permit

Why does Veolia’s Sauget facility need a title V permit?

Veolia’s Sauget facility is required to have a title V permit because:

  • It is subject to federal standards for hazardous waste incinerators.
  • It has the capacity to emit large amounts of pollution.

The facility is subject to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants from Hazardous Waste Combustors found at 40 C.F.R. Part 63, Subpart EEE. This regulation limits the amount of toxic metals, such as arsenic, mercury and lead, and other pollutants which can be released from the facility.

Why is EPA – and not Illinois EPA – responsible for issuing Veolia’s title V permit?

Veolia’s Sauget facility first applied for a title V permit from Illinois EPA on September 7, 1995. Following a public comment period, Illinois EPA submitted a proposed permit to EPA on November 6, 2003. On February 18, 2004, EPA received a petition from the Sierra Club and American Bottom Conservancy (ABC) requesting that EPA object to issuance of Veolia’s title V permit, according to Section 505(b)(2) of the Clean Air Act and 40 C.F.R. § 70.8(d). On February 1, 2006, EPA issued an order granting the petition in part and denying it in part. This order was revised on August 9, 2006. After Illinois EPA did not revise and submit a new permit, the Sierra Club and ABC sued EPA demanding that EPA issue the title V permit for Veolia’s Sauget facility. EPA and the petitioners settled the lawsuit and EPA issued the first title V permit for this facility on September 12, 2008. EPA renewed the title V permit on June 17, 2019. The facility applied to EPA to renew the June 2019 permit on November 4, 2023.

EPA is talking with Illinois EPA about shifting title V permitting responsibilities for Veolia’s Sauget facility to the state. This transition is expected to happen after EPA completes processing the current permit application.

Is EPA processing air permits for other facilities in Sauget or the surrounding area?

No. EPA is not processing air permits for other facilities in Sauget or the surrounding area. State and local governments typically issue air permits. Learn more about air permitting.

Does Veolia’s Sauget facility hold other permits? Which ones?

Yes. Veolia’s Sauget facility holds several preconstruction air permits that Illinois EPA issued for changes made at the facility. The active preconstruction permits issued since 1986 are shown in the following table:

Preconstruction Permits That Illinois EPA Has Issued to Veolia
Permit Number Date Issued Project Description Active Permit
83120053 09/02/1986 Construction of Units 2 and 3 and Tank Farm #1 Yes
88030101 06/27/1988 Construction of Tank Farm #3 Yes
88010001 08/03/1988 Construction of Unit 4 Yes
87100024 08/19/1988 Construction of Unit 3 Yes
95080025 11/07/1995 Construction of Boiler #1 Yes
00110030 02/06/2001 Installation of an activated carbon injection system and baghouse solids recirculation system for Unit 4 Yes
17120004 01/17/2018 Installation of activated carbon injection systems for reducing mercury emissions from Units 2 and 3 Yes
21090028 12/15/2022 Construction of three storage tanks each controlled by a carbon canister Yes

Besides air permits, Veolia’s Sauget facility holds other environmental permits that Illinois EPA or EPA has issued under the authority of the Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and other statutes.

What types of requirements are contained in Veolia’s title V permit?

Veolia’s title V permit contains requirements established by:

  • Federal regulations.
  • State regulations.
  • Preconstruction and operating permits that Illinois EPA has issued to the facility.

The permit also includes those requirements that are necessary for determining whether the facility is complying with all applicable requirements, including:

  • Monitoring requirements.
  • Recordkeeping requirements.
  • Reporting requirements.

In addition to other federal standards, the incinerators at Veolia are subject to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Waste Combustors found at 40 C.F.R. Part 63, Subpart EEE. These standards:

  • Limit the amount of toxic metals, such as arsenic, mercury and lead, as well as other pollutants, which can be emitted from the incinerators.
  • Require the facility to measure the amount of certain toxic metals in the waste being burned and compare these measurements to past air emission test results to show that its air pollutant emissions are below the required levels.
  • Require Veolia to continuously operate certain air pollution control and emissions monitoring devices to reduce emissions and ensure the facility complies with its emission limits.

The storage tanks, boilers, emergency generators, waste storage and processing areas at the facility are subject to specific federal standards for such units found at 40 C.F.R. Parts 60, 61 and 63.

The state requirements come from state regulations and preconstruction and operating permits that Illinois EPA has issued to the facility since it was first constructed. The state regulations are found in Title 35 of the Illinois Administrative Code. These regulations have been approved and made federally enforceable by EPA and are codified at 40 C.F.R. § 52.720.

What is Veolia required to do to reduce its emissions?

Each incinerator is connected to specially designed devices called “control devices” that reduce pollution. These control devices include a “baghouse,” an “activated carbon injection system,” and a spray dryer absorber. The control devices collectively treat the exhaust from each incinerator to reduce emissions of toxic gases and small particles. The small particles often contain toxic heavy metals such as mercury and other contaminants. Additionally, each liquid waste storage tank has special devices called “carbon adsorption units” that help reduce emissions of vapors from the tanks.

Veolia is required to continually monitor the control devices and promptly repair them if needed to ensure they are operating properly.

Are Veolia’s emissions tested and who performs the testing?

Veolia’s title V permit requires the facility to test its emissions regularly to determine whether it is complying with the title V permit. Veolia must use an independent testing service to conduct the emissions testing. Veolia must test for emissions of toxic heavy metals at least once every 5 years.

Veolia must also analyze each type of hazardous waste before it burns the waste in the incinerators. The facility can do this by sampling or other means of characterizing the waste. Veolia may use its onsite laboratory to conduct the analysis.

Public Engagement

How can the public participate in the permitting process for Veolia’s title V permit?

Under EPA’s regulations for title V permitting, EPA must give public notice when the following permitting actions occur:

  • Initial denial of a permit application.
  • Issuance of a draft permit.
  • Announcement of a public hearing.
  • Reopening of a public comment period.
  • When it grants a permit appeal.

Each public notice announcement communicates an opportunity for the public to participate in the permitting process. During these public participation opportunities, any member of the public (including Missouri residents) may submit comments to EPA in writing, or they may provide comments or input orally at a public hearing or public meeting.

On April 15, 2024, EPA hosted a community meeting on the permitting process for Veolia’s title V renewal permit in Cahokia Heights, Illinois. The goal of the meeting was to receive input from the community for consideration during application processing, and to ensure robust community participation throughout the permitting process. EPA plans to hold at least one additional meeting like the one held in April. EPA is using the information gathered from the April meeting to develop a public participation plan which will describe additional public participation opportunities for the facility’s title V renewal permit. Learn more about the April 2024 community meeting.

What is the difference between a public meeting and a public hearing in the context of Veolia’s title V permit?

Although regulators sometimes use the terms “public meeting” and “public hearing” interchangeably, EPA considers them to refer to two distinct types of public engagement opportunities for air permitting actions. In a public meeting (also called a public information meeting):

  • EPA shares information about the proposed action.
  • The public may ask questions about the action.
  • EPA may answer questions at the event.
  • In general, EPA does not prepare a written response to questions raised during the event.

In contrast, a public hearing:

  • Is an official public proceeding where members of the public provide oral or written testimony supporting or opposing the proposed action.
  • Usually involves a professional court reporter who transcribes all oral testimony provided. 
  • Is usually convened for the sole purpose of receiving comments from the public, and all written or oral comments become part of the public record for the permitting action.
  • In general, EPA does not answer questions. After the hearing, EPA prepares and makes publicly available written answers to all comments received during the hearing and throughout the public comment period.

Under certain circumstances, a public hearing may be preceded by a public meeting so that the public may ask questions about the proposed action. In those situations, EPA will announce when the public hearing portion of the event will begin to alert the public that all comments received after that time will be entered into the public record as “comments” on the proposed action.

Do public meetings or hearings have any real effect on EPA’s decision?

Yes. The opportunity for the public to ask questions and receive answers from EPA during a public meeting generally leads to constructive comments from the public. EPA will review and consider each comment or concern that the public brings to its attention during a public comment period before making a final decision on Veolia’s title V permit. Constructive comments can and do result in substantive changes to EPA’s decision on the permit. Learn about tips for providing effective comments to EPA.

Does the community need to request a hearing on draft permits for Veolia’s Sauget facility? Does EPA automatically hold public hearings on Veolia’s draft permits?

In general, EPA will hold a public hearing when it concludes:

  • There is a significant degree of public interest in a draft permit.
  • Such a hearing may help clarify one or more issues involved in the issuance of a permit.

Due to ongoing significant public interest in Veolia’s Sauget facility, EPA has determined that it is in the public interest to hold a public hearing for each draft permit. EPA may revisit this policy in the future depending on public interest.

What methods does EPA use to notify the public of upcoming public engagement opportunities for Veolia’s title V permit?

EPA uses various methods to announce opportunities for public participation in the permitting process, including:

  • News releases.
  • Emails sent to members of a listserv.
  • Publication in a local newspaper.
  • Distribution of mass-mailers.
  • Use of social media.
  • Publication of information about the public engagement opportunity on our website.

For Veolia’s title V permit, EPA has used the following notification methods:

  • E-mails or letters sent to all parties who have historically expressed interest in permitting actions at the facility, including state and local government officials. These emails or letters usually include flyers, fact sheets or other written materials that explain the public engagement opportunity.
  • Postcards sent by the United States Postal Service to all postal addresses within 1-mile of Veolia’s Sauget facility.
  • Direct outreach to local community organizations, including American Bottom Conservancy and the United Congregations of Metro East, among others.
  • Press releases, including postings to social media, announcing the public engagement opportunity.
  • Updates to various pages on EPA’s website to reflect the public engagement opportunity.
  • Publication of public notices in the legal sections of local newspapers when draft permits are available for comment.

What public engagement opportunities is EPA planning for Veolia’s title V permit renewal?

As announced at the April 15 community meeting, EPA will soon release for public review its public participation plan for Veolia’s title V permit renewal. This plan will describe all additional public participation opportunities that EPA expects to become available during the permitting process. EPA expects the public participation plan to become available by July 15, 2024.

How may the public provide input for EPA to consider during the permitting process?

Unless otherwise specified in the public announcement, the public may provide input to EPA during the public feedback period indicated in the announcement via the following ways:

  • Send an email to R5 Air Permits ([email protected]) with your comments or other input.
  • In writing or orally at the public hearing
  • Send a letter or parcel to:
    U.S. EPA Region 5 (A-18J)
    Supervisor,  Air Permits Section
    77 W. Jackson Blvd.
    Chicago, Ill. 60604

To obtain information about the permitting process, the public may call David Ogulei, 312-353-0987 or Priyanka Painuly, 312-886-7569 or send an email to R5 Air Permits ([email protected]).

Compliance

Is Veolia currently complying with its title V permit? What is Veolia’s compliance status?

Veolia is complying with most provisions of its current title V permit. Veolia stated in its permit renewal application that it is violating certain emissions limits for oxides of nitrogen.

EPA issued a Clean Air Act finding of violation to Veolia on September 23, 2021, alleging that the facility violated:

  • Various air pollution control regulations, including the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants from Hazardous Waste Combustors (40 C.F.R. Part 63, Subpart EEE), and the National Emission Standard for Benzene Waste Operations (40 C.F.R. Part 61, Subpart FF).
  • Its title V permit.

Specifically, the facility:

  • Violated the carbon monoxide emission standard in certain instances. This is an indication that an incinerator was not properly destroying the hazardous waste that was fed to it in each instance.
  • Failed to operate its equipment within acceptable ranges needed for proper pollution control.
  • Operated hazardous waste storage tanks without adequately controlling vapor emissions or correctly monitoring for leaks from the tanks.
  • Emitted more nitrogen oxides than was allowed.

EPA continues to work to resolve these violations and is committed to bringing Veolia back into compliance.

What emissions resulted from the facility’s alleged noncompliance and failure to operate within acceptable ranges needed for proper pollution control?

According to EPA’s Finding of Violation, by violating its title V permit, Veolia may have caused excess emissions of:

  • Benzene.
  • Dioxins and furans.
  • Mercury.
  • Carbon monoxide.
  • Hydrogen chloride and chlorine gas.
  • Nitrogen oxides.
  • Particulate matter.

Additionally, the violations may have reduced the destruction and removal efficiency of hazardous organic air pollutants.

How is Veolia proposing to come into compliance with its emissions limits for nitrogen oxides and resolve the other alleged violations?

In the title V permit renewal application, Veolia admitted that it is not complying with the emissions limits for nitrogen oxides from two of its incineration units (Units 2 and 3). The title V permit prohibits these units from releasing emissions of nitrogen oxides that exceed 4 tons per year per unit. EPA found, and Veolia conceded in its application, that Veolia’s Sauget facility emitted greater than 4 tons of nitrogen oxides from Unit 2 and Unit 3, each, in each reporting year from 2016 through 2020, thereby violating the title V permit. To address the noncompliance, Veolia proposed to submit to Illinois EPA, by July 1, 2024, an application to revise its emissions limits for nitrogen oxides from Units 2 and 3. Veolia stated that it was working with Illinois EPA to revise the emissions limits for Units 2 and 3. The facility estimated that Illinois EPA would issue revised emissions limits by September 30, 2024.

On June 28, 2024, Veolia notified EPA that it would not meet either the July 1 or the September 30 estimated compliance dates. Further, the facility stated it was unable to provide EPA with new estimated compliance dates.

EPA continues to investigate all allegations of noncompliance at the company. Because EPA has not completed its enforcement process nor finalized the appropriate remedy to address the violations it found, EPA has not approved Veolia’s schedule of compliance. Notably, EPA works to ensure that enforcement does not unduly influence permitting decisions and vice-versa; however, enforcement and permitting officials may share certain factual information.

Can EPA issue a title V permit to a facility that is violating emissions standards?

Federal regulations at 40 C.F.R. § 71.5(c)(8)(iii)(C) allow EPA to issue a title V permit to an applicant that is violating its emissions standards. However, the applicant must specify in its permit application a schedule describing how and when it will come into compliance with the requirements it is violating, and EPA must approve such schedule. The schedule of compliance must include a schedule of remedial measures, including an enforceable sequence of actions with milestones, leading to compliance. This compliance schedule must resemble and be at least as stringent as that contained in any judicial consent decree or administrative order to which the source is subject. The schedule of compliance shall not sanction noncompliance with the applicable requirements on which it is based.

Air Quality and Health Impacts

How is the air quality surrounding Veolia?

Veolia’s facility is located in St. Clair County, which is considered “nonattainment” for the pollutant ozone, and has high levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the air compared to the national ambient air quality standards. According to EPA’s EJScreen, within 3 miles of Veolia, the concentrations in the air of nitrogen dioxide, diesel particulate matter and air toxics are in the top 25 percent or higher nationally.

Because the area’s air quality can change from day to day, or hour to hour, EPA recommends that residents regularly visit a website EPA maintains,  AirNow , which reports the current and forecast air quality for the area and other communities around the country. EPA reports the air quality for 5 major air pollutants in the form of an index called the Air Quality Index . The higher the AQI value, the greater the level of air pollution and the greater the health concern. The AirNow website can be downloaded and installed as a mobile phone application.

Is the air near Veolia healthy to breathe?

EPA does not have any reason to believe that air quality in the neighborhood surrounding Veolia is unhealthy to breathe. In response to a 2019 request by Senator Tammy Duckworth, EPA monitored the air near Veolia’s Sauget facility from June 24, 2021, to March 4, 2022. EPA monitored for the pollutants that would be of greatest concern from this type of facility, including heavy metals and volatile organic compounds. EPA did not detect any contaminants at levels that would adversely impact the health of people living nearby. EPA provided the monitoring data to the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry for use in a health consultation study. This study would determine the extent to which pollution from the Veolia facility is affecting the community. EPA anticipates that ATSDR’s health consultation study will provide an in-depth analysis of the air quality in the Sauget community along with health-protective recommendations as needed to prevent harmful exposures.

Has EPA studied whether Veolia’s emissions could cause adverse health impacts to nearby residents?

Yes. At the request of the Illinois Attorney General and Illinois EPA, EPA conducted a Site-Specific Risk Assessment to evaluate the potential health impacts of Veolia’s operations. The assessment analyzed potential emissions from three hazardous waste incinerators regulated under Illinois EPA’s Resource Conservation and Recovery Act permit and the title V permit. The risk assessment showed that if Veolia complies with its current limits in the title V permit, its emissions will not cause adverse short- or long-term health effects in the area near the facility.

Odors

Does EPA regulate odors?

The Clean Air Act does not specifically regulate odor. Instead, the Clean Air Act sets, and EPA enforces, standards for emissions of various pollutants some of which may cause odors. States and local municipalities typically have nuisance regulations and ordinances that address odors. Illinois EPA and Missouri Department of Natural Resources have regulations that restrict the emissions of odors in Illinois and Missouri, respectively. These state agencies routinely investigate and act on tips and complaints related to odors in the area.

Does Veolia’s Sauget facility produce odors?

As an industrial facility that processes waste, Veolia’s Sauget facility produces some odors as it operates. EPA has received many complaints alleging that strong odors have routinely originated from Veolia’s Sauget facility and blanketed the community. For example, since January 2023, EPA and Illinois EPA have received more than 30 odor complaints pertaining to Veolia’s Sauget facility. Most of these complaints have described the odors as “strong chemical” smells, “burning plastic/metal/exhaust,” and “toxic.” Some citizens have described their asthma acting up during the odor episodes. A few complaints have claimed that the smell gets worse late at night.

In response to complaints, Veolia conducted an odor study from November 29, 2022, through December 2, 2022. Forty-three odor readings were taken over the course of 4 days between approximately 6:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. While odors were detected near Veolia, the study report noted that those odors were light, smelled like sweet solvent, and were not detected in the surrounding community areas. Veolia concluded that the “burnt,” “burning,” or “smokey chemical” odors alleged in community complaints appear to be from other nearby facilities and not Veolia.

Are environmental odors toxic?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most substances that cause odors in the outdoor air are not at levels that can harm your health. However, odors may affect your quality of life and sense of well-being. While exposure to outdoor odors can trigger physical symptoms, the symptoms usually go away when the odor is gone. Physical symptoms may include headache, nausea, dizziness, watery eyes, stuffy nose, irritated throat, cough or wheeze, especially if you have allergies, asthma and other chronic lung problems, and sleep problems due to throat irritation and cough.

Has EPA or Illinois EPA investigated the sources of odors near Veolia?

Yes. EPA and Illinois EPA have independently investigated specific odor complaints near Veolia’s Sauget facility. In response to odor complaints EPA Region 7 and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources received during 2021 and 2022 from various communities in the St. Louis metropolitan area, EPA investigated the odors in the area with a mobile air monitoring vehicle. This investigation (called a GMAP survey) screened for possible emissions of regulated pollutants from facilities that may be contributing to the issues identified by the complaints. EPA identified 15 facilities for follow-up compliance inspections based on the GMAP survey. Inspection reports are available from EPA’s website. EPA will provide information on any completed enforcement actions on EPA’s Enforcement and Compliance History Online website.

On February 7, 2024, in response to an anonymous complaint filed with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Illinois EPA conducted an odor investigation near Veolia. The complaint alleged a “rotten egg odor” from Veolia was affecting a residential area in Missouri. Illinois EPA staff did not detect any odors at the guard station located at Veolia’s entrance or near the on-site office building. Illinois EPA staff then drove around the community, with the windows rolled down, on Mobile Street, Mississippi Avenue, and Monsanto Avenue. Staff detected a noticeable chemical odor in front of the PChem wastewater treatment plant on Mobile Street just north of Veolia. Illinois EPA is following up on the investigation’s findings.

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Last updated on July 11, 2024