An $800,000 proposed fine is not “chump change” for any company.  Yet, that’s what a specialty chemical producer in Woodhill, Ohio faces for allegedly violating the Clean Air Act when it made modifications to its five kilns. Under the Clean Air Act, building new sources of air pollution and modifying existing sources in certain ways require a permit.  This includes major changes in materials such as using a coating with higher VOC content (or for longer periods of use) in a paint booth without re-calculating how those changes impact the potential to emit air contaminants. In addition, facility operators must install appropriate technologies to limit air pollution when a source is built or modified.

A word of warning to the unaware: Along with the permit violations (a perhaps unintentional, but costly oversight), the original citation is very often accompanied by additional daily violations of NESHAP (National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants) limits and Ohio’s Clean Air Act State Implementation Plan for operating the modified process without the proper air permit. Few can readily afford the resultant fines and best available technology which may be mandated to rectify the violations.

If you are not sure that your air emissions are in-compliance in Greater Cleveland, Ohio, let our air permit experts assess the situation for you.  Contact CTI today.