“PCBs move through the environment globally. They’re released in Port Arthur and move globally. They don’t stop here,” Carman said. “We already have an over abundance of PCBs. Most of us have them in our bodies and in our children and in our babies.”

Carman added when PCBs are incinerated, all of it is not burned up and new PCB molecules are re-created after they separate and come back together.

Also, the Veolia incineration process would create over one billion micrograms of PCBs which he called “extremely large quantities.” Carman also believes fugitive leakage could be created by transporting them or by storing them.

“I inspected incinerators for 12 years for the state and there are problems even at state-of-the-art incinerators. It’s a flawed technology,” he said.

Scott Schlesinger of the Environmental Trade Council said Veolia’s incineration techniques are in accordance with national and international law and PCB import is not illegal if the company meets the law requirements and receives approval.

“They (Veolia) have met standards as tough as anywhere in the world. When incinerating, 99.999 percent of PCB molecules are destroyed and requirements met,” he said.

Schlesinger said containers carrying PCBs must also meet EPA and Department of Transportation standards.

PCBs have been used as coolants and lubricants in transformers, capacitors and other electrical equipment because they don’t burn easily and are good insulators. The manufacture of PCBs was stopped in the U.S. in 1977 because of evidence they build up in the environment and can cause harmful health effects.

Hilton Kelley, executive director of Community In-Power Development Association, CIDA, said pollutants impacts all lives in Port Arthur and he saw a need in the city of to create the organization. In addition to addressing pollution, CIDA also addresses social blight in the city.

“We’re constantly being bombarded with toxic chemicals,” Kelley said. “Southeast Texas is inundated with toxic waste. One out of five children use a nebulizer to breathe. Everybody here has probably known someone who has died from cancer. Enough is enough.”

Dellinger said they are nowhere near the end of the process and they want to reach the right decision on the matter.