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EPA reaches agreement with H. Kramer

Release Date: 04/06/2006
Contact Information: CONTACT: William Omohundro, (312) 353-8254, omohundro.william@epa.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No.06-OPA043

CHICAGO (Thursday, April 6, 2006) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has reached an agreement with H. Kramer and Co. on alleged clean-air violations at the company's brass and bronze manufacturing plant at 1339-1359 W. 21st St., Chicago, Ill.

The agreement, which includes a $500,000 environmental project and a $10,000 penalty, resolves EPA allegations that H. Kramer failed to comply with testing and notification requirements when it installed furnaces used in melting scrap to make brass and bronze.

"H. Kramer will upgrade its plant to improve the capture and control of particulate emissions which will help protect the health of its neighbors," said Regional Administrator Thomas V. Skinner. "The upgrades will include a new ductwork system, improved capture hoods and the full-time use of an on-site control device at the rotary furnace casthouse."

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