An Iowa-based cement company has recently agreed to pay almost $200,000 in fines levied by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over alleged violations of federal environmental law.
The EPA will collect a $197,500 penalty from Lehigh Cement Company in Mason City, Iowa, "to resolve alleged violations of the Clean Air Act," the agency said in a Nov. 19 news release. The EPA alleges that Lehigh Cement is a "major air emission source" that failed to comply with state and federal regulations that limit harmful releases into the local environment.
"After reviewing Lehigh Cement Company's facility records in 2019 and 2020, EPA alleged that the company exceeded Clean Air Act emissions limits, failed to submit required reports to the state, and failed to conduct required testing of equipment," the news release said. "EPA also determined that air pollution from the facility may affect nearby overburdened communities."
The fine amount was part of Lehigh Cement's settlement with the EPA, in which the company also agreed to conduct additional air emissions testing to demonstrate its ongoing compliance with the Clean Air Act.
Exposure to small particle pollutants can have detrimental health effects on the lungs and heart, the EPA said.
"Scientific studies have linked particle pollution exposure to a variety of problems, including premature death in people with heart or lung disease, heart attacks, irregular heartbeat, aggravated asthma, decreased lung function, increased respiratory symptoms, and coughing or difficulty breathing," the release said. "People with heart or lung diseases, children, and older adults are the most likely to be affected by particle pollution exposure."
Air pollution reduction from large emitters, including cement manufacturing plants, is a top priority for EPA, according to the release. Cement plants emit more than 500,000 tons of industrial pollutants each year, making them the third-largest source of industrial pollutants.
