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EPA reaches agreement with Du-Kane Asphalt

Release Date: 06/06/2006
Contact Information: William Omohundro, (312) 353-8254, omohundro.william@epa.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 06-OPA091

CHICAGO (June 6, 2006) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has reached an agreement with Du-Kane Asphalt Co. on alleged clean-air violations at the company's bituminous asphalt manufacturing plant at
600 S. Lombard Road, Addison, Ill.

The agreement, which includes an $11,000 penalty, resolves EPA allegations that Du-Kane failed to maintain and operate its pollution control equipment as required by EPA regulations. This caused the plant to exceed its 20 percent limit on opacity, or the amount of light obscured by visible particles such as smoke, ash and dust.

In a related action, Du-Kane agreed to an EPA-approved plan to improve the operation of its emission controls and to do monthly visible emission readings for one asphalt manufacturing season.

An EPA inspector discovered the excessive emissions during a test last October. The test was done in response to a citizen complaint regarding visible emissions from the facility.

Inhaling high concentrations of particulates can affect children, the elderly and people with heart and lung diseases the most.