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EPA and DOJ reach agreement with AMROX on clean-air violations

Release Date: 07/28/2006
Contact Information: William Omohundro, (312) 353-8254, [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 06-OPA134

CHICAGO (July 28, 2006) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Justice have reached an agreement with American Iron Oxide Co., also known as AMROX, on alleged clean-air violations at three facilities in Portage, Grandview and Burns Harbor, Ind.

AMROX has agreed to pay a $100,000 civil penalty and complete environmental projects costing $34,000. In addition, the company will spend some $721,000 to bring its plants into compliance with the Clean Air Act.

The agreement resolves EPA allegations that AMROX failed to properly control hazardous hydrochloric acid and chlorine emissions from its three facilities. The company also failed to get a state operating permit for its Portage plant.

For its environmental projects, AMROX will complete odor impact and health risk assessments in the Portage area and implement any measures recommended by the studies.

Hydrochloric acid is corrosive to the eyes, skin and mucous membranes. Chronic exposure may cause chronic bronchitis and skin problems.

Chlorine is an irritant to the eyes, upper respiratory tract and lungs. At higher levels of exposure, it is extremely irritating to the skin and can cause severe burns.

Information on 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 www.epa.gov/compliance/complaints.

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