Toxic Legacy: The Environmental Impact of the Burlington Moorestown-Lenola Waste Incinerator

Toxic Legacy: The Environmental Impact of the Burlington Moorestown-Lenola Waste Incinerator

For decades, the Burlington Moorestown-Lenola waste incinerator has been a source of concern for residents and environmental advocates in New Jersey. The facility, which has been in operation since 1990, has been implicated in a range of environmental and health problems, leaving a toxic legacy that will be felt for generations to come.

Located in the heart of Burlington County, the incinerator has been burning waste from municipalities across the region, producing a toxic cocktail of pollutants that have contaminated the air, water, and soil. The facility’s emissions have been linked to a range of health problems, including respiratory diseases, cancer, and neurological disorders.

One of the primary concerns surrounding the incinerator is the release of toxic chemicals, including dioxins, furans, and heavy metals. These pollutants have been shown to have devastating effects on human health and the environment, causing everything from birth defects to ecosystem disruption. According to data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Burlington Moorestown-Lenola incinerator has consistently exceeded national standards for dioxin emissions, making it one of the worst polluters in the country.

The incinerator’s impact on local air quality has been particularly troubling. Studies have shown that the facility’s emissions have contributed to high levels of particulate matter, ozone, and other pollutants in the air, exacerbating respiratory problems like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In fact, a 2020 report by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection found that the incinerator was responsible for nearly 20% of the state’s total particulate matter emissions.

But the incinerator’s toxic Reach doesn’t stop at the air. The facility’s wastewater has also been implicated in the contamination of local waterways, including the Delaware River. According to data from the EPA, the incinerator has released thousands of pounds of toxic chemicals into the river, including heavy metals like lead and mercury. These pollutants have been shown to have devastating effects on aquatic life, causing everything from fish kills to ecosystem disruption.

Despite the mounting evidence of the incinerator’s environmental and health impacts, the facility has continued to operate with relative impunity. In 2019, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection granted the incinerator a new permit, allowing it to continue operating for another decade. The decision was met with widespread criticism from environmental advocates, who argued that the permit was a betrayal of the state’s commitment to protecting public health and the environment.

So what can be done to address the toxic legacy of the Burlington Moorestown-Lenola waste incinerator? First and foremost, the facility must be shut down. This is not a radical proposal – incinerators like the one in Burlington are being phased out across the country, as communities recognize the devastating environmental and health impacts they pose.

In the short term, the state must take steps to reduce the incinerator’s emissions and mitigate its environmental impacts. This could include implementing stricter pollution controls, increasing monitoring and enforcement, and providing support to communities affected by the facility’s pollution.

Ultimately, the story of the Burlington Moorestown-Lenola waste incinerator serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of environmental neglect and the importance of prioritizing public health and the environment. As we look to the future, it is imperative that we learn from the mistakes of the past and work towards a more sustainable, equitable, and just environmental policy – one that recognizes the inherent value of human life and the natural world.

What You Can Do:

• Contact your local elected officials and express your opposition to the continued operation of the Burlington Moorestown-Lenola waste incinerator.
• Support organizations working to address environmental justice and public health issues in New Jersey.
• Stay informed about the incinerator’s environmental and health impacts, and share your concerns with friends and family.
• Advocate for a transition to more sustainable waste management practices, such as recycling and composting.

Together, we can build a better future for our communities and our environment – one that is free from the toxic legacy of the Burlington Moorestown-Lenola waste incinerator.