EPA Reaches Final Agreement with Carmeuse Lime to Control Dust from its Chicago Plant

Press release from the EPA:

EPA Reaches Final Agreement with Carmeuse Lime to Control Dust from its Chicago Plant

Contact Information: Anne Rowan, 312-353-9391, rowan.anne@epa.gov 

For Immediate Release                                                                   OPA 093

Chicago (Oct. 31, 2012 )--The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced a consent decree with Carmeuse Lime, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to resolve Clean Air Act violations at the company's Chicago lime manufacturing facility. The company will pay a $350,000 fine and spend $125,000 to replace windows at residences primarily in Chicago’s East Side neighborhood.

EPA and the city of Chicago conducted a joint investigation at the Carmeuse facility in response to complaints from nearby residents about excessive dust. The investigation revealed that poor maintenance at the facility allowed dust to be released to the surrounding neighborhood.

The consent decree requires Carmeuse to upgrade and replace equipment and to improve maintenance and housekeeping practices. These changes will be incorporated in the facility's air permit to dramatically reduce the amount of dust released into the neighborhood.

Under terms of the consent decree, Carmeuse will pay for the installation of new energy-efficient windows in homes that currently have window frames with lead-based paint. The replacement windows will be installed in the homes of low-income residents with young children to reduce the risk of lead exposure.

Carmeuse is a major lime producer, with 35 facilities in the United States and Canada. For information, go to www.epa.gov/region5/air/enforce/carmeuse.html.