Background
Anaplex Corp. processes metal using chromic acid anodizing tanks, surface treatment tanks and spray coating operations, all of which can cause hexavalent chromium emissions. The facility is located at 15547 Garfield Ave. in Paramount, and is subject to the permitting requirements and rules and regulations of the South Coast AQMD.
In November 2016, following an intensive investigation, South Coast AQMD determined that Anaplex Corp. and a nearby facility, Aerocraft Heat Treating Co., Inc., were sources of elevated levels of hexavalent chromium emissions. In addition to outdoor monitoring data indicating Anaplex to be a source of elevated hexavalent chromium levels South Coast AQMD staff also collected samples and emissions testing at the facility. This included 13 samples of loose debris collected from the roof, which revealed deposits of hexavalent chromium. Additionally, Anaplex was found in violation of permit conditions that prevent spray painting with chromate paints.
On Nov. 29, 2016, South Coast AQMD filed a petition against Anaplex and Aerocraft with the independent South Coast AQMD Hearing Board. Anaplex agreed to it, and the Hearing Board approved an administrative order, known as a Stipulated Order for Abatement, on Jan. 10, 2017. The order found that air toxics emissions from Anaplex were causing a public nuisance in violation of South Coast AQMD’s Rule 402. Under the order, Anaplex must shut down all equipment with the potential to emit hexavalent chromium if the facility has caused outdoor levels of the toxic compound to exceed 1.0 nanograms per cubic meter, calculated as an average of three air samples taken over a period of about a week.
Anaplex was also required to develop health risk assessments and risk reduction plans under the state’s AB2588 Air Toxics Hot Spots program to ensure the facility reduces its toxic emissions such that the community health risks from the facility are below the thresholds established by South Coast AQMD.
Since the Order for Abatement, Anaplex Corp. was required to temporarily shut down all operations on two occasions in 2017 for emitting hexavalent chromium. These shut downs were triggered when South Coast AQMD’s air monitoring equipment near Anaplex detected readings resulting in three-sample averages that exceeded the hexavalent levels specified in the order. The facility was able to restart operations after South Coast AQMD monitoring data showed that hexavalent chromium levels had dropped below the levels specified in the agreement.
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