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Bristol, Pa. Metal Finisher to Pay $46,000 in Clean Air Act Case

Release Date: 5/6/1999
Contact Information: David Sternberg (215) 814-5548

BRISTOL, Pa. - The owners of the Certified Metal Finishers, Inc. metal coating plant at 440 Howell Street, in Bristol, Pa. will pay a $46,000 penalty to settle a Clean Air Act complaint, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today.

EPA’s June 10, 1998 complaint alleged the plant violated EPA-approved Pennsylvania air pollution regulations prohibiting "fugitive emissions" (emissions that are not discharged through a flue or stack). Federal and state air regulations bar fugitive emissions because these discharges avoid air pollution monitoring and controls.

During EPA inspections on July 21, 1997 and January 7, 1998, powder coating particles were observed being discharged through an open gate at the plant. During the earlier visit, an EPA inspector also observed fugitive emissions from the filter huts on the facility’s roof. In an April 12 ruling, an administrative judge specifically found that these emissions, as well as the routine process emissions at the plant, violated the Clean Air Air.

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and Bristol Township officials cooperated with EPA’s enforcement action.