CHICAGO (June 1, 2004) — U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency Region 5 has reached an agreement with BP Chemicals Inc.
now BP Amoco Chemical Co. on alleged clean-air violations at the
company's chemical manufacturing complex at 1900 Ft. Amanda Road,
Lima, Ohio. EPA assessed a $30,000 penalty.
The agreement resolves an EPA complaint filed last September alleging
that BP Chemicals started building a new plant before its permit
went into effect. Companies must get permits that restrict their
emissions before they can build plants in areas that already meet
air-quality standards.
The EPA complaint also alleged that BP Chemicals had exceeded
emission limits for gases containing nitrogen oxides. This count
was dropped because the company had reached an agreement with the
state of Ohio resolving the same alleged violation.
Nitrogen oxides 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 and wheezing, shortness of breath
and chest pain. People with asthma, children and the elderly are
especially at risk, but these health concerns are important to
everyone.
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