Public hearing on toxic chemical air permits in Columbus County

DELCO, NC (WWAY) — WWAY recently told you that Wilmington has some of the cleanest air in the country, but over in Columbus County one company wants to start releasing a potentially harmful chemical into the air.

Malec Brothers Transport Fumigation Facility wants an air permit to use 140 tons of methyl bromide to fumigate export logs.

RELATED: Company to stop fumigation operations at Wilmington site

The chemical would then be released into the air less than one mile away from Acme-Delco Middle School.

Methyl bromide is a highly toxic chemical that also damages the ozone layer.

The public hearing is currently taking place, we’ll tell you what happens tonight on WWAY News at 11 p.m.