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EPA Region 5 Issues Administrative Order, Citation

01/24/2005 - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has issued an administrative consent order to Rotary Lift that requires the company to comply with the state operating permit issued to its Madison, Ind., metal fabrication facility. Rotary Lift had told EPA that it believed it had violated its permit.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has issued an administrative consent order to Rotary Lift that requires the company to comply with the state operating permit issued to its Madison, Ind., metal fabrication facility. Rotary Lift had told EPA that it believed it had violated its permit.

EPA cites Wabash Alloys
for Clean-Air Violations

In an unrelated matter, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 announced that it has cited Wabash Alloys LLC for alleged clean-air violations at the company's aluminum recovery plant in Cleveland, Ohio. EPA alleges that Wabash Alloys failed to comply with federal requirements for operating its scrap dryer afterburner, its scrap dryer filter system and its furnace filter system.

These are preliminary findings of violations. To resolve them, EPA may issue a compliance order, assess an administrative penalty or bring suit against the company. The company has 30 days from receipt of the notice to meet with EPA to discuss resolving the allegations.

The EPA order requires Rotary Lift to ensure that the amount of volatile organic compounds in the coatings it applies to its products does not exceed the permitted limit and to keep records documenting this.

"Rotary Lift has come forward and shown itself to be a good corporate citizen," said Acting Regional Administrator Bharat Mathur. "We encourage companies to contact EPA if they believe they have violations before EPA investigates their plants." Mathur said self-disclosure is taken into consideration when penalties are assessed.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, or smog. Smog is formed when a mixture of air pollutants is baked in the hot summer sun. Smog can cause a variety of respiratory problems, including coughing, wheezing, shortness or breath and chest pain. People with asthma, children and the elderly are especially at risk, but these health concerns are important to everyone.

Companies that believe they have violations and wish to self-disclose should contact George Czerniak, Chief of the Regional Air Enforcement Branch, at (312) 353-2088.