To: Tacoma.methanol.sepa@cityoftacoma.org

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

EIS Scoping Comments: Tacoma Manufacturing and Marine Export Facility (TMMEF): “Proposed Methanol Plant”: SEPA Lead Agency: City of Tacoma (File No. SEPA2015-40000260025).

My comment applies to City, State, and Federal Employee (people) located or assigned duty at close proximity to Tacoma Port LNG, Methanol, or natural gas (methane) piping distribution facilities or systems as “first responders” and are full-time employed with “first responders” duties to these natural gas related facilities. Monitoring of workplace air chemical inventory is important to long-term health and welfare of these “first responders” government or any private people employed with such “first responders” duties; as a result, continuous hazard(s) monitoring is critical for these emergency responsive employees’ long term health.

[C]onsidered highly toxic to humans and animals until it biodegrades. Consistent with comment, the EIS will complete a comprehensive analysis of the adequacy of federal, state, and local emergency response capabilities to address spills, explosion, and/or fire along the pipeline route, at the site, and during transfer for shipping purposes. Commenters asked that the EIS consider methanol tank construction and safety measures, including the degree of secondary containment.… See, Methanol EIS Draft Scope of Work 02052016.pdf (at 7)., http://cms.cityoftacoma.org/planning/Methanol%20Plant/Methanol%20EIS%20Draft%20Scope%20of%20Work%2002052016.pdf(last visited Mar 2, 2016).

Continuous air monitoring for all emergency response locations (fire stations), vehicles (emergency response vehicles), or stations (emergency equipment locations)

“Where there is potential exposure to Hydrogen Sulfide, a monitoring strategy is recommended to ensure exposures are kept below acceptable levels and standards and that appropriate action is taken when there are excursions above these levels. Either traditional IH monitoring methods or electronic instruments can be used for this purpose.” See
generally, Monitoring Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) to meet new exposure standards, (using continuous workplace chemicals exposure monitor for employee health) http://www.draeger.com/sites/assets/PublishingImages/Generic/sidebar-teaser/CA-US/Hydrogen_Sulfide_White_Paper_81297.pdf (last visited Mar 2, 2016).

As Methanol facility publishes listing of fugitive air chemicals released

As a result, expand the continuous air monitoring systems and sensors to include what chemicals are discovered as disclosed by methanol process or natural gas distribution system to be short- and long-term employee workplace hazards; as a result, set appropriate people alarms in monitor equipment and add this time chemical exposure information to each exposed employee for their health record.

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