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EPA reaches agreement with Spectro alloys

Release Date: 4/07/2005
Contact Information:

CONTACT: William Omohundro, (312) 353-8254

For Immediate Release
No. 05-OPA037

CHICAGO (Apr. 7, 2005) — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has reached an agreement with Spectro Alloys Corp. on alleged clean-air violations at the company’s aluminum recovery plant at 13220 Doyle Path Road, Rosemount, Minn. EPA assessed a $49,058 penalty, and Spectro agreed to complete a $150,000 environmental project.

"For its environmental project, Spectro will install a concrete or asphalt surface on almost 40,000 square feet of dusty limestone roadways at its plant to protect the health of its neighbors," said Acting Regional Administrator Bharat Mathur.

Companies that violate the Clean Air Act may voluntarily propose environmental projects as part of their settlements. EPA may reduce monetary penalties if it believes a project will cut pollution significantly and goes beyond what is required by EPA regulations.

The agreement resolves an EPA administrative complaint filed last September alleging that, among other things, Spectro emitted excessive amounts of hazardous dioxins, furans and hydrochloric acid from its furnaces and scrap dryers.

Spectro has made operational changes and done testing that shows it is now in compliance with regulations covering emissions from its equipment. It has also fixed other problems identified in the complaint including data recording device failures.

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

Hydrochloric acid is corrosive to the eyes, skin and mucous membranes. Inhalation may cause coughing, hoarseness, inflammation and ulceration of the respiratory tract, and chest pain.