Failure to meet regulations of the Missouri Air Conservation Law have led to a $1.2 million fine and an administrative order against The Doe Run Company. The violations are cited in connection to Boss-based Buick Resource Recycling Facility located off Highway KK in Iron County.
A Department of Natural Resources administrative order obtained by The Salem News details the Buick Resource Recycling Facility produces secondary lead by receiving and processing lead-acid batteries and other lead-bearing materials. Operations there are listed as raw materials preparations and pretreatment, smelting lead-bearing material and refining lead-bearing materials.
During these activities the administrative order states the Buick Resource Recycling Facility generates airborne lead, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and other emissions.
The document details land surrounding the Buick Resource Recycling Facility was declared a nonattainment area in 2010 due to lead concentrations. A Site Improvement Plan was subsequently drafted and separate administrative orders filed in 2013 and 2014 to address lead pollution created by Doe Run operations. Failure to meet these agreements and violations documented since 2014 are the subject of the new administrative order.
Seven categories of violations are detailed in the administrative order. They include failed stack tests; failure to demonstrate compliance with emission limits; failure to establish or maintain compliance with operating parameter limits; continuous monitoring system violations; capture, control and ventilation violations; reporting and notification violations; and burning violations.
Among the specific violations documented by DNR are:
• A drum shredder baghouse emission point failing multiple performance tests from 2014 to 2016 and emitting up to 403.3 pounds of excess lead emissions.
• A breaking, separation and neutralization wet scrubber emission point failing multiple performance tests in 2015 and emitting 424.6 pounds of excess lead emissions.
• A wet scrubber being disconnected from a BSN building from Feb. 15, 2016, to May 12, 2016, resulting in 238 pounds of excess lead emissions.
• Uncontrolled lead emissions being vented from a Hot Metals Building to the atmosphere from 2014 to 2017.
The $1.2 million fine is scheduled for payment over the next three years, with $400,000 due immediately and two more $400,000 payments due in 2020 and 2021. Within 90 days of the administration order Doe Run must notify DNR if it wishes to either improve its existing technology to reduce emissions or install new equipment to meet the existing regulations.
The administrative order establishes several different areas of criteria which Doe Run must meet to comply with the agreement. They include contingencies for if Doe Run elects to improve its existing technology or install new equipment.
