AlphaGary Corp. will pay $250,000 in penalties for infractions of Massachusetts environmental regulations.
The state Department of Environmental Protection said the compounder emitted lead dust and underreported its air emissions; discharged stormwater with unacceptable levels of lead, copper and zinc; filed incomplete reports; and stored more hazardous waste than allowed. The operation uses lead for vinyl compounds; zinc and copper show up as trace elements. It mainly makes wire and cable compounds.
The Leominster, Mass., firm said it agreed to take action above and beyond compliance with an administrative consent order it signed with DEP. It will strengthen environmental management systems, conduct additional audits and perform tests to determine if emissions have had adverse effects.
Robert Cox, AlphaGary human resources director, said in a telephone interview that the firm has done tests that show no adverse effect on stormwater, or soil and leaf mulch samples.
AlphaGary agreed to improve air-pollution-control devices, obtain required permits, reduce the amount of lead it uses and conduct comprehensive audits.
DEP said violations occurred at various times from 1993-97 and were discovered by DEP inspectors in late 1997.
AlphaGary has moved truck-unloading operations indoors and has begun to improve hazardous-waste management practices, it said. It will implement a storm-water prevention plan required by federal law and will test storm-water quality.
Gail Suchman, DEP central region director, said in a news release that although the company allowed ``questionable environmental practices'' in the past, ``it is working diligently'' to comply and to assure future compliance.
AlphaGary is part of Laporte Worldwide Compounding Group.