1. Install and operate interim control measures. (which in this instance is the venting of the Molded Product exhaust through existing pollution control devices (scrubber) in stacks used to manufacture other product lines.)
2. Evaluate visible emissions from Molded Products line daily , when operating.
3. Conduct stack Sampling of emissions from the equipment on the molded products line.
4. Develop and submit an engineering plan to bring emissions into compliance with State law and District regulations.
The timeline set is that the engineering plan must be submitted by September 5, 1991. If that report is not submitted on time the Molded Products line must be shut down by Sept. 12, 1991. If the engineering plan is approved, the compliance schedule will be revised with full compliance required by March 5, 1992.
According to Mendocino Air Pollution Control Inspector Phil Towle in a telephone interview on May 5, 1991, the interim control measures were installed within a month from the issuance of the abatement conditions. However, it is recognized that this measure did not solve the problem. Complaints about odor and opaque emissions have been received on several occasions. Because of the conditions stated in the abatement order no citations have been issued. Towle indicated that testing sources on the south kiln stacks showed most problems were caused by the emission of linseed oil constituents and that while the types of emissions were in compliance with the district the emissions were not in compliance with the visual standards outlined in county regulations.
Meanwhile Masonite goes on putting together the engineering plan due on Sept. 5, 1991. Masonite has done extensive testing for particulate size, hydrocarbons and other undesirable discharges. Mr. Towle felt that the Masonite engineering plan would meet the Sept 5th deadline. The kinds of control measures to be instituted are still not certain and will depend on the final conclusions of the engineers' report.
When questioned about Masonite's response to the Toxic Hot Spots Report requirement, Mr. Towle stated that, "it had been recently submitted", and he was in the process of finding time to review the document.
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 2004
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