Allegheny County Health Department Fines Heidelberg Materials $3,500 Over Cement Silo Dust Release

Editor’s Note: The Allegheny County Health Department periodically updates its website to include documents related to air quality enforcement actions. As part of our watchdog work, GASP monitors this webpage and reports on the air quality violations posted there. 

Because the docket has not been updated since December 2025, GASP is now filing monthly public records requests to glean more timely information related to ACHD’s enforcement efforts. The below is among the most recent actions received through the Right to Know process.

ACHD recently issued a $3,500 civil penalty against Heidelberg Materials following a 100% opacity emissions incident at the Lindy Paving Asphalt Plant located along Second Avenue downtown.

The Aug. 14 enforcement action stems from a visual inspection conducted during a routine drive-by along the Boulevard of the Allies the morning of June 29.

The impact on local air quality? One of GASP’s air quality monitors situated near the Lindy Paving Plant showed a spike in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) around the time of the incident:

Plant representatives explained that the incident occurred while unloading a cement truck, noting that a line leading into the silo may have clogged, causing pressure buildup and excess emissions.

However, ACHD noted that inspectors were unable to access the top of the silo directly because the ladder lacked a safety cage, requiring specialized harness equipment.

According to the enforcement order, Heidelberg Materials cooperated during the investigation and immediately created a new inspection protocol and documentation sheet to monitor future truck unloading operations.

You can read the entire enforcement order here.