Response to Incident Reports, February 10 and 11

Regarding reported events in and around Cohoes and the Norlite facility on February 10 and 11, 2022, Norlite wishes to share the following information. 

On the dates in questions, there were several complaints of odors and discolored stack emissions. These conditions are separate events, as the collaborative New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and Norlite investigations have demonstrated to date. 

On February 10th Norlite received reports of a discolored steam stack. Norlite personnel had already identified this condition at the time of the first report and were addressing it. This was a rare and isolated event.  It occurred while Norlite was only burning natural gas during a start-up of one of the kilns. No waste was being burned at the time. The event lasted approximately 90 minutes and once identified, the start-up process was immediately terminated for investigation. This event was reported to NYSDEC and a full report will be made available. 

A second odor complaint on February 10th was identified as a diesel odor that occurred during a repair of a used oil pump/pipe at Norlite. The event was communicated to NYSDEC and the odor ceased within a few hours of its discovery.

There is no cause for concern of health effects associated with these events.

The complaints of February 11th described a “burning rubber” type odor complaint at approximately 3:00 p.m. A report was also made of a discolored steam stack. NYSDEC staff met with Norlite personnel on site and did not observe any stack emissions or odors on site. Both Norlite kilns were down at the time, and no smoke or steam was coming from the stacks. Norlite personnel and NYSDEC staff went off site to the north of the facility where the burning rubber smell was witnessed; however, no source could be identified. It was determined that Norlite was not responsible for this odor.

Norlite is committed to investigating any neighbor complaints to ensure that if a problem is identified, corrective measures may be initiated as soon as possible. This includes documentation of every complaint in a monthly report to the NYSDEC, which is publicly available. Norlite appreciates the public’s report of any concern to Norlite and NYSDEC when witnessed or observed to facilitate thorough investigations.