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Northstar Aerospace agrees to EPA order to keep records

Release Date: 5/5/2005
Contact Information:

CONTACT: William Omohundro, (312) 353-8254

For Immediate Release
No. 05-OPA056

CHICAGO (May 5, 2005) — Northstar Aerospace (Chicago) Inc. has agreed to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency order to keep records of its use of coatings containing volatile organic compounds at the company's manufacturing plant at 6006 W. 73rd St., Bedford Park, Ill.

EPA cited Northstar in 2003 alleging failure to limit emissions of organic hazardous air pollutants and volatile organic compounds from its coating operations as well as failure to comply with notification, recordkeeping, reporting and permitting requirements.

The administrative consent order does not limit EPA's authority to seek appropriate relief, including penalties, for Northstar's alleged violation of these clean-air regulations.

Volatile organic compounds contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, or smog. Smog is formed when a mixture of air pollutants is baked in the hot summer sun. Smog can cause a variety of 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.

Bedford Park is in the Chicago metropolitan area, which fails to meet national outdoor air quality standards for ground-level ozone.