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EPA reaches agreement with Ottenweller on clean-air violations

Release Date: 01/08/2009
Contact Information: William Omohundro, 312-353-8254, omohundro.william@epa.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 09-OPA002


CHICAGO (Jan. 8, 2009) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has reached an agreement with Ottenweller Co. Inc. on alleged clean-air violations at the company's metal coating plant at 3011 Congressional Parkway, Fort Wayne, Ind.

The agreement, which includes two environmental projects costing $44,000 and a $13,500 penalty, resolves EPA allegations that the Ottenweller facility emitted excessive amounts of organic hazardous air pollutants in violation of federal regulations and its state operating permit.

For its environmental projects, Ottenweller will install a new paint mixing system to reduce emissions of hazardous volatile organic compounds and switch to a more expensive topcoat primer with a lower hazardous VOC content.

Volatile organic compounds contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone (smog). Smog is formed when a mixture of pollutants react on warm, sunny days. Smog can cause respiratory problems, including coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest pain. People with asthma, children and the elderly are especially at risk, but these health concerns are important to everyone.

Hazardous air pollutants may cause serious health effects including birth defects and cancer. They may also cause harmful environmental and ecological effects.

Information about EPA Region 5's air enforcement program is at https://www.epa.gov/region5/air/enforce/index.html. Potential environmental violations may be reported at https://www.epa.gov/compliance/complaints.