By Aila Boyd
aboyd@ourvalley.org
A consent order has been issued by the State Air Pollution Control Board, a permanent citizen board through the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), to Dynax America Corporation regarding hydrochloric acid emission violations at its Botetourt County facility.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, hydrochloric acid is “corrosive to the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes.”
The automotive parts facility, which is located on Eastpark Drive, is both owned and operated by Dynax.
The company was issued a permit in May of 2017 under the Virginia Air Pollution Control Law and the Regulations to operate a stationary source of air pollution. The permit stated that hydrochloric acid emissions for the facility were not to exceed 0.08 pounds per hour.
Stack testing performed by the company in December of 2017 documented a hydrochloric acid emission rate of 0.45 pounds per hour, representing a control efficiency of 94.7 percent. In January of last year, DEQ staff performed a partial compliance evaluation to evaluate the December 2017 stack test results. The results of the evaluation found that the stack test results documented violations of the emission limit for hydrochloric acid.
As a result of its findings, DEQ issued a notice of violation.
Then, the company performed stack testing to demonstrate compliance in July of last year. The results documented a hydrochloric acid emissions rate of 0.53 pounds per hour, representing a control efficiency of 95.42 percent. Again, DEQ staff performed a partial compliance evaluation to evaluate the July 2018 stack test results.
As a result of its findings, DEQ issued a notice of violation.
Then, representatives from the company and DEQ met in November of last year to discuss the notice of violations.
As part of the order, Dynax will pay a civil charge of $168,204 within 30 days of June 19 to settle the violations.
Additionally, the order stipulated that Dynax has to submit a plan and schedule for returning to compliance with the hydrochloric acid emission limit, including stack testing to verify a return to compliance. As defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, a stack test “measures the amount of a specific regulated pollutant being emitted.” The agency notes that it is an “important tool” to “determine a facility’s compliance with emission limits.” If DEQ finds any deficiencies in the company’s plan and schedule, it is required to respond within 10 days of receipt.
It also noted that within 10 days of approval by DEQ, Dynax is required to implement the plan and schedule according to the terms and schedule no later than October 31. If Dynax desires to alter, amend, or change the plan, it is required to seek prior approval from DEQ.
Robert Steele, a senior enforcement specialist with DEQ, explained that the department didn’t find that any harm had been done to the environment or public as a result of the violation.
Other consent orders between the State Air Pollution Control Board and Dynax were issued in 2006, 2011, and 2017. The civil charges that the company paid as part of the orders included $9,100, $14,040, and $3,300 for the respective years.
