“While neither chicken nor soybeans were on the menu, officials with Perdue AgriBusiness aimed to serve up information and allay concerns about the firm’s proposed soybean crushing plant in Conoy Township.

“Perdue staff manned tables at Bainbridge Fire Company to explain the project at its open house Thursday night.

“More than 100 people filtered through during the two-hour affair, noshing on hamburgers and hot dogs prepared by the fire company and paid for by Perdue.

“‘We try to engage the local community and help them understand the process,’ said Peter Heller, a Perdue consultant. ‘We’re very proud of our operations.’

“While many seemed to favor the $59 million proposed plant near the county’s waste-to-energy incinerator, a few raised health and safety concerns.

“Warren Evans, a retired biochemist who lives in Hellam, York County, said he wasn’t against the plant, but is concerned about smog and other potential health problems linked to hexane.

Perdue plans to process soybeans using hexane, a solvent used in vegetable oil production with Food and Drug Administration approval.

“According to the federal Environmental Protection Agency, short-term exposure to hexane can cause dizziness and headaches while long-term exposure can cause nervous system problems.

“It also is explosive and can contribute to smog.

“Dr. Judith Weisz, of Conoy, a professor and biomedical researcher at Penn State Hershey Medical Center, also was concerned that the area already has pollution from Harrisburg International Airport, the incinerator and a York power plant.

“She suggested adopting organic farming techniques.

“‘Lancaster County does not have to become a food factory when it is one of the best food producing areas,’ she said.

“Perdue officials downplayed potential risks.

“Hexane ‘has to be managed like any other Read the rest of this entry »