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Maine Company Fined for Clean Air and Emergency Right-to-Know Act Violations

Release Date: 09/24/2008
Contact Information: Paula Ballentine, (617) 918-1027

(Boston, Mass. – Sept. 24, 2008) - A Thomaston, Maine cement production company will pay a fine of $77, 470 and perform an additional project, resolving violations of the federal Clean Air Act and of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA).

EPA alleged that Dragon Products LLC violated National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants required under the Clean Air Act by failing to comply with regulations designed to reduce emissions of air toxics, including arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, benzene, toluene, dioxins/furans, hexane, and formaldehyde. The regulation also is designed to reduce emissions of particulate matter and hydrocarbons, some of which are volatile organic compounds that contribute to the formation of smog. The adverse environmental and health effects associated with all of these substances are well-documented.

EPA also alleged that Dragon violated EPCRA by failing to submit to EPA Toxic Chemical Release Inventory (TRI) Forms for lead, nickel, polycyclic aromatic compounds, manganese compounds, and nitrate compounds. Dragon manufactured, processed or otherwise used those chemicals in quantities exceeding the established reporting thresholds.

TRI requires facilities to report chemical releases to the environment in individual communities and is an important “right-to-know” tool. The reported information is also used to assist research, and aid in the development of regulations, guidelines and emissions standards.

Dragon Products will spend at least $298,000 to take measures that will reduce the emission of fine dust particles from its facility. Exposure to fine dust particles is a serious threat to human health and has been a concern in the community surrounding Dragon’s facility.

More information:

- EPA New England enforcement of the Clean Air Act (epa.gov/ne/enforcement/air/index.html)

- EPA New England enforcement of the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (epa.gov/ne/enforcement/epcra/index.html)