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EPA cites Beck Aluminum for clean-air violations

Release Date: 04/12/2006
Contact Information: William Omohundro, (312) 353-8254, omohundro.william@epa.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No.06-OPA053

CHICAGO (Wednesday, April 12, 2006) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has filed an administrative complaint against Beck Aluminum Corp., 300 Allen Bradley Dr., Mayfield, Ohio, for alleged clean-air violations at an aluminum recovery plant at 6560 Juniata Ave., Cleveland, owned by Remelt Services Inc.

EPA alleges that Beck Aluminum had supervisory authority over operations at the plant from September 2003 through December 2005, and thus was responsible for ensuring the plant's compliance with the Clean Air Act.

EPA filed an administrative complaint against Remelt last October alleging that the company failed to comply with federal dioxin and furan emission control requirements for its aluminum melting furnace. Specifically, EPA alleged that Remelt failed to meet requirements for proper operation, monitoring, planning, recordkeeping and notification. EPA is making the same allegations against Beck.

Beck has 30 days from receipt of the complaint to file an answer and request a hearing. The company may request an informal conference with EPA at any time to discuss resolving the allegations.

There is evidence that dioxins may cause liver damage and probably cause cancer in humans, while furans may also cause cancer.