EPA v. RADIAC ABRASIVES, INC

Case summary

The Consent Agreement and Final Order (CAFO) for Radiac Abrasives, Inc. (Radiac), in Salem, Illinois was issued to resolve violations regarding the Illinois State Implementation Plan (SIP). Specifically, Radiac was found to violate 35 Ill. Admin. Code � 201.141 of the Illinois SIP, that prohibits any person from emitting any contaminant which would cause or tend to cause air pollution in Illinois. Radiac emitted significant quantities of naphthalene air emissions, a possible human carcinogen, into the Salem, Illinois community. After consultation with ATSDR and CDC, EPA determined that the facility caused a significant human health impact, due to these naphthalene emissions, on the Salem community. In addition to the requirement to install thermal oxidizers to incinerate up to 98 percent of these naphthalene emissions in their Administrative Consent Order, Radiac is required to implement a pollution prevention SEP to eliminate at least 10 percent of the naphthalene utilized in their process. The project will cost $95,000 and up to 20 months to implement. The project will require the company to utilize an alternative pore formers in place of naphthalene which will allow for a viable, salable product. Any alternate pore formers cannot be listed as a Hazardous Air Pollutant in Section 112 of the Clean Air Act. The company must comply with a naphthalene usage limit per unit of product which results in a 10 percent reduction from prior levels. Since the facility will be utilizing 10 percent less naphthalene in their process, or 6,000 pounds per year less (when utilizing 60,000 pounds per year), emissions to the atmosphere will be reduced by the following amount: Radiac is required to install two thermal oxidizers, to operate at 98 percent reduction of naphthalene emissions. In addition, Radiac also upgraded an exiting thermal oxidizer to operate at 95% reduction of naphthalene emissions. The existing thermal oxidizer will control approximately one third of the naphthalene emissions from the plant utilizing the SEP, or 18,000 pounds per year. At 95% efficiency, the control device reduced naphthalene by 17,100 pounds per year, or 900 pounds of emissions per year. The two new thermal oxidizers will control apporximately two thirds of the naphthalene emissions, or 36,000 pounds per year, and at 98% efficiency, will reduce naphthalene by 35,280 pounds., or 720 pounds per year. Total emissions after the SEP is implemented is 1,620 pounds per year. Compared to the emissions prior to the SEP implementation at 1,800 pounds per year, the SEP will reduce 180 pounds of napthalene per year, in addition to small reductions of natural gas combustion emissions at the thermal oxidizers of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.

Defendants (1)

• RADIAC ABRASIVES, INCNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• RADIAC ABRASIVES INC

  1015 S COLLEGE AVE, SALEM, IL, 62881-2428

  Registry ID: 110000439883

Statutes cited

• CAA 110 — Implementation Plan for National Primary and Secondary Ambient Air Quality Standards

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• RADIAC ABRASIVES, INCentered 2014-08-15

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $108,000 · SEP: $95,000

Timeline (4 milestones)

• 2014-08-15Final Order Issued
• 2014-08-15Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2014-08-22Air Resolved
• 2014-08-27Enforcement Action Data Entered