TORRANCE : Panel to Weigh Storage of Toxins at Dow Site

Toxic chemicals emitted from a Torrance factory could only increase residents’ chances of getting cancer by about one in 1 million, government officials said, so they will consider granting a permit to allow the toxins to remain at the Dow Chemical Co. plant.

The California Department of Toxic Substances Control and the Environmental Protection Agency will hold a public hearing on the permit at 7 tonight in the Cultural Arts Center, 3330 Civic Center Drive.

Dow stores the hazardous chemicals at 305 Crenshaw Blvd. in a 15,000-gallon tank and in a storage area for about 545 55-gallon drums. The waste includes epoxy filters, resins, solvents and waste water.

The proposed permit would also allow Dow to continue to dispose of some of the waste by using it as a fuel for boilers at the site.

Since 1953, Dow has used the 52-acre plant for manufacturing. It produces Styrofoam, epoxy resins for the electronics industry and polystyrene for toys and automobile interiors.

Because rules for burning and storing this type of waste were not in place when Dow started using them, the EPA granted an interim permit in 1991 while the procedures were studied. Dow hopes to get a waiver sometimes offered to companies that can demonstrate that the health risks from their sites are minimal.

Government statistics show that compared to the one-in-1-million increase in cancer risk for Dow’s chemicals, factors such as genetics, diet and cigarette smoke increase the cancer risk to about 250,000 cases in 1 million.

At the public hearing, or in writing until May 19, area residents may ask questions and comment on the permit. The EPA and Department of Toxic Substances Control will prepare responses to the public comments. The final permit decision will be made in the summer.