Indianapolis Buses to be Retrofitted for Clean-Air Emissions
Indianapolis - The Environmental Protection Agency reached an agreement
with Indianapolis Casting Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of
International Truck and Engine Corp., on alleged clean-air violations
at the company's iron foundry at 5565 Brookville Road, Indianapolis.
"To improve air quality in the Indianapolis area, Indianapolis Casting
has agreed to fund the retrofitting of 139 diesel-powered city buses
with emission control devices," said Regional Administrator Thomas
V. Skinner. He said the company will also pay a $445,960 penalty.
The agreement resolves EPA allegations that Indianapolis Casting made
major modifications to its plant significantly increasing volatile
organic compound emissions without getting construction and operating
permits. In addition, EPA alleged that the company did not comply
with lowest achievable emission rate requirements and requirements
to offset its increased emissions by making reductions elsewhere.
In a related action, EPA ordered Indianapolis Casting to get appropriate
permits for its unpermitted core machines, and to operate proper air
pollution control devices while the core machines are in operation.
The order also requires testing, operation and maintenance of those
control devices according to federal standards.
The primary VOC emitted by Indianapolis Casting's core machines is
triethylamine, a hazardous air pollutant. Short-term exposure to
triethylamine vapor can cause eye irritation, corneal swelling,
halo vision and skin and mucous membrane irritation. The effects
have been reversible when exposure stops.
Volatile organic compounds contribute to the formation of ground-level
ozone or smog. Smog is formed when a mixture of air pollutants is
baked in the hot summer sun. Smog can cause a variety of respiratory
problems, including coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest
pain. People with asthma, children and the elderly are especially
at risk, but these health problems are important to everyone.
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