EPA Fines AB&I Foundry Operator in Oakland Clean Air Act Violations Case

EPA Fines AB&I Foundry Operator in Oakland Clean Air Act Violations Case

November 21, 2024

SAN FRANCISCO - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement with McWane Inc., dba AB&I, over claims of Clean Air Act violations at its iron foundry in Oakland, CA. The company will pay a $274,000 fine and has since closed the Oakland foundry, ending its operations in late 2022.

"Excess and untested air emissions from facilities like this have caused harm to our East Bay communities," said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. "EPA will continue to pursue and fine facilities that do not comply with federal clean air laws."

In April 2022, EPA issued a Finding and Notice of Violation to AB&I over five violations between 2018 and 2020 of its facility's operating permit and the National Emission Standards for Iron and Steel Foundries.

In December 2019, EPA inspectors observed smoke coming from an asphalt coating line and exhausting into the foundry building. Inspectors detected no inward draw into the control system, and also detected chemical resin odors. This violation was corrected after investigation into the causes.

Additionally, for nearly one year the facility failed to continuously monitor and record multiple baghouse leak detection events (a baghouse works to remove harmful particulate matter). Detection systems ensure that excess emissions from the baghouses do not go undetected and must include an alarm to alert facility staff. However, the facility installed incorrect monitors that were not capable of meeting their compliance requirements. Two other baghouses operated for at least 16 days without compliant monitors.

Other violations included:

• Two separate performance test failures in December 2018 and January 2019, causing excess particulate matter emissions.
• Failure to continuously monitor emissions and operating conditions of its metal melting cupola furnace in October 2019, in violation of its operating permit.

Particulate matter contains microscopic droplets that can be inhaled and cause serious health problems. Some particles less than 10 micrometers in diameter can get deep into the lungs and some may even get into the bloodstream. These particles are also the main cause of reduced visibility (haze) in parts of the United States.

Please visit the EPA's Iron and Steel Foundries Emissions Standards websitefor more information.

For more information on reporting possible violations of environmental laws and regulationsvisit EPA's enforcement website.

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