There are new regulations to reduce air pollution from six trash incinerators in Pennsylvania, including the Covanta trash-to-steam plant in Chester known as the Delaware Valley Resource Recovery Center, writes Kenny Cooper for WHYY.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection recently adopted new regulations that look at the control of nitrogen oxide at the incinerators.

NOx creates ground-level ozone, or smog.  High levels cause public health problems.

The previous state standard for NOx emissions on a daily average was 180 parts per million. The new regulation, starting Jan. 1, 2023, requires 110 parts per million.

The new standard was influenced by from the Clean Air Council and the Environmental Integrity Project, which are trying to strengthen environmental laws.

It should reduce NOx pollution in Pennsylvania by about 1,500 tons per year, said Leah Kelly, senior attorney with the Environmental Integrity Project.

The new regulations will be among the strictest in the nation for incinerators and are a “step in the right direction,” but that more needs to be done, she said.

 “Incinerators are very toxic. They emit high levels of toxic pollutants like mercury, dioxin, and lead. And that’s not going to be addressed by this rule,” Kelly said.

Read more about new incinerator regulations at WHYY.

The impact of nitrogen pollution.