Allegheny County’s Latest Air Quality Violators: Who They Are & What They Did
- Group Against Smog & Pollution
- 12 minutes ago
- 4 min read
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.
Air Quality Violations Lead to $46K Fine for Synthomer
Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) issued a more than $46,000 civil penalty against West Elizabeth-based Synthomer - a Title V facility that produces synthetic hydrocarbon resins - for exceeding emissions limits.
According to an Oct. 20, 2025, enforcement order just recently uploaded to the ACHD docket, a 2023 compliance test of a C-5 Thermal Oxidizer stack revealed Synthomer blew past emissions limits in violation of the facility’s installation permit.
ACHD said Synthomer continued to operate under similar conditions for three months, making it out of compliance with its permit.
A $46,400 fine - payable to the Allegheny County Clean Air Fund - was assessed.
Here’s the enforcement order for folks who’d like to take a deeper dive.
ACHD Revokes Green Development’s Asbestos License, Takes Enforcement Action Against Wilkinsburg Borough for Abatement Issues
The Allegheny County Health Department revoked the asbestos abatement license of Green Development after inspections revealed the company violated various Article 21 provisions. According to the Enforcement Order, Wilkinsburg Borough contracted with Green Development to demolish several abandoned houses in the borough.
In the enforcement order filed against the company and Wilkinsburg Borough on Dec. 5, 2025, but only recently uploaded to ACHD’s docket, both were ordered to stop all demolition work on several properties in the municipality.
This wasn’t the first time that Green Development had enforcement action taken against it: Its permit was first suspended in May 2025 for similar infractions.
“Green Development has not shown a willingness or ability to comply with Article 21 asbestos abatement requirements,” the enforcement document noted.
You can read the entire enforcement order here.
ACHD Takes Enforcement Action Against TNT Excavating, Wilkinsburg Borough for Myriad Asbestos Abatement Violations
ACHD took enforcement action against TNT Excavating and Wilkinsburg Borough for myriad asbestos-abatement related violations in 2025.
According to the enforcement actions, Wilkinsburg Borough contracted with TNT to conduct asbestos abatement in December 2025, despite TNT not having a proper license. According to the enforcement actions, TNT and Wilkinsburg demolished several structures without a permit and without first notifying the department.
You can read the Dec. 5, 2025, enforcement action here. You can read the July 23, 2025 enforcement order here.
ACHD Takes Enforcement Action Against Wheaton & Sons for Permit, Dust Issues
ACHD in March 2025 took enforcement action against Braddock-based Wheaton & Sons for failing to apply for a permit to operate regulated equipment.
According to the enforcement order:
Wheaton and Sons Inc. is an establishment primarily engaged in fabricated structural metal manufacturing operations. ACHD observed machining processes, including two plasma cutters, one laser cutter multiple press brakes, bandsaws, curving rolls and punching centers. The plasma cutter operates on a water table, but ACHD saw no other dust control measures.
The company was ordered to stop all work and provide proper documentation to the department.
LHT Coraopolis Terminals Fined Nearly $6K For Abrasive Blasting Violation
ACHD issued a $5,890 for performing abrasive blasting without a permit in August 2024.
In Allegheny County, abrasive blasting projects totaling more than 10,000 square feet require a permit application with fee and a 30-day notification to be submitted prior to the commencement of abrasive blasting activities.
Coraopolis Terminals (and contractor Hannahoe Painting) performed abrasive blasting of 18,056 square feet of or abrasive blasting without an ACHD issued abrasive blasting permit.
LHT Neville Island Terminal Filed $840 For Late Annual Compliance Certification
ACHD on Oct. 25, 2025, fined LHT Neville Island Terminal $840 for failing to submit its 2023 annual certification of compliance as required under the terms of its Title V Operating Permit.
The enforcement order noted the company filed the certification 59 days late.
Sailor Excavating and Paving Fined $1,100 for Failing to Control Dust
ACHD on Sept. 9, 2025, fined Sailor Excavating and Paving $1,100 following an investigation spurred by dust complaints.
Here’s an excerpt from the enforcement order:
ACHD observed loaded dump trucks driving up and down a steep dirt roadway. The dump trucks were carrying and dumping material across the worksite to grade the lot. Fugitive emissions were created by the trucks driving on the dirt roadway that was not wetted. The ACHD Representative witnessed fugitive dust from the roadway crossing the property line and entering into public space.
For the uninitiated: Article 21 - our local air quality regulations - prohibit operation of sources that allow the release of air contaminants into the open air or to cause air pollution.
P&W Motors Fined $1,800 Over Operating Without a Permit
ACHD issued an $1,800 fine against P&W Motors on Sept. 12, 2025, for operating without a proper permit.
Here’s what happened:
The building now owned by P&W Motors at 720 Gross Street in Pittsburgh was formerly occupied by West Penn Hospital Foundation Research Building, which operated two boilers and an emergency generator - equipment that requires a permit.
On May 10, 2024, ACHD inquired about unpaid annual maintenance fees only to find out the building had been sold and P&W Motors intended to tear the building down.
On Feb. 14, 2025, ACHD emailed P&W to inform them that they would need to transfer the permit to the new owners or render the equipment inoperable and terminate the permit.
On April 25, 2025, ACHD again emailed company representatives to inform them that the permit must be transferred and renewed or that the equipment be rendered inoperable and the permit terminated.
While ACHD set deadlines for P&W to make that decision, the enforcement order notes that as of the date of the enforcement order, “P&W BMW of Pittsburgh failed to transfer ownership and renew the operating permit for the regulated equipment at 720 Gross Street.”