Editor’s Note: This story was updated on June 4 to clarify that the dust complaint against Heights Plaza Materials, Springhill Road LLC and ABC occurred in February 2020. The originally published version included an incorrect date.
The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) last week issued two Enforcement Orders, one dealing with asbestos abatement and the other regarding dust mitigation. Here’s what you need to know:
ACHD on May 26 issued an enforcement order to Pittsburgh-based Noralco Corp. for violating Allegheny County’s Air Pollution Control Regulations (Article XXI) by failing to submit a required asbestos survey before demolishing a commercial structure located at 2225 Smallman Street. ACHD said the company, which was issued a demolition permit on Aug. 29, 2019, also failed to submit a required asbestos abatement demolition form. ACHD has ordered the company to submit those documents or face a possible $25,000-a-day civil penalty. Noralco has 30 days from the date of the violation to appeal the order.
ACHD on May 26 also issued an enforcement order to three companies over fugitive dust emissions emanating from a partially graveled access road connecting their property to Springhill Road in Harrison Township. An ACHD representative observed dust after responding to a complaint on Feb. 24, 2020. In the order, ACHD mandated that three businesses that exclusively access that road – Heights Plaza Materials, Springhill Road LLC, and ABC Transit – submit a dust-control compliance plan detailing what each entity will do to mitigate fugitive emissions. If the companies do not comply they could face a potential $25,000-a-day civil penalty. They have 30 days from the date of the notice to appeal.
As reported last week, ACHD also issued a Demand for Stipulated Penalties totaling more than $361,000 to U.S. Steel for violations in the fourth quarter of 2019 and the first quarter of 2020 of a Settlement Agreement between the parties.