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Bridgeport, Conn. Company to Pay $25,123 for Clean Air Act Violations

Release Date: 12/08/2004
Contact Information:

Contact: Dave Deegan, Public Affairs Office, 1617-918-1017

For Immediate Release: Dec. 8, 2004; Release # am04-12-05

BOSTON - A Bridgeport, Conn. company that makes aluminum parts has agreed to pay $25,123 over a one year period to settle claims by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that it violated federal air pollution regulations at its aluminum foundry and die casting facility in Bridgeport from September 2003 to June 2004.

Peerless Foundry LLC melts down virgin and recycled aluminum ingots and scrap aluminum and makes new aluminum parts by either molding or die casting.

According to a complaint issued by EPA’s New England office, Peerless violated federal regulations because it melted “unclean” aluminum scrap in its furnaces that could have caused emissions of dioxin or furan, which are both probable carcinogens. The “unclean” aluminum feedstock consisted of potentially contaminated aluminum wheel covers. In 2003-04, Peerless burned about 18,000 pounds of this unclean aluminum scrap.

In June 2004, in response to a letter from EPA, Peerless began using only “clean” feedstock in its furnaces. As a result, the company is no longer regulated by a federal air toxic rule that would require MACT ( maximum available control technology).

“Peerless has taken the responsible step to stop using cheaper, unclean aluminum scrap at its Bridgeport foundry,” said Robert W. Varney, regional administrator of EPA’s New England Office. “Now that the company is following environmental regulations, nearby residents no longer risk being exposed to toxic air pollutants.”

For more information about EPA’s enforcement programs, visit www.epa.gov/ne/enforcement/index.html

Related Information:
Air Enforcement
Clean Air Act