In a settlement with the United States, Exide Technologies, has agreed to install air pollution control equipment, continue operating existing pollution controls, and comply with emission rates to reduce harmful air pollution from the company's secondary lead smelting facility located in Muncie, Indiana, the Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today. The settlement will resolve claims that the company violated the Clean Air Act by failing to operate the facility in compliance with the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants from Secondary Lead Smelting (Secondary Lead NESHAP), which resulted in the release of excess lead in an area designated by EPA as non-attainment for the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for lead.
EPA expects that the actions required by the settlement will reduce harmful emissions of lead, particulate matter (PM), total hydrocarbons (THC), and dioxin/furans (D/F). The company estimates that it will spend over $3,900,000 to implement the required measures. The pollution reductions will be achieved by the installation, upgrade, and operation of state-of-the-art pollution control devices designed to reduce emissions and protect public health.
The settlement requires the company to pay a civil penalty of $820,000 to resolve Clean Air Act violations.
The settlement requires the company install pollution control technology and implement other measures to reduce lead, PM, THC, and D/F emiss