EPA reaches agreement with Scott Brass on clean-air violations

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has reached an agreement with Scott Brass Inc. on alleged clean-air violations at the company’s brass production plant at 31140 Edison Road, New Carlisle, Ind.

The agreement, which includes a $10,000 penalty, resolves EPA allegations that Scott Brass failed to apply for a state operating permit before it installed and began operating four furnaces at the plant in 1997.

Scott Brass agreed to comply with an EPA order to apply for a state operating permit that will require controls on furnace emissions. The furnaces emit particulate matter (smoke, ash, dust) when scrap is melted to produce brass metal.

Inhaling high concentrations of particulates can affect children, the elderly and people with heart and lung diseases the most.

Information about EPA Region 5’s air enforcement program is at www.epa/gov/region5/air/enforce/index.html. Potential environmental violations may be reported at http://www.epa.gov/compliance/complaints.