Vernon battery recycling plant told to reduce emissions

WASHINGTON (Scrap Monster) : Air district officials have ordered Exide Technologies-one of the largest battery recyclers, to check emissions from its Vernon plant.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District ordered to cut emissions after a recent tests showed the plant is posing health danger to people in the neighboring regions. The order states that the emissions could affect as many as 110,000 people living in an area that extends from Boyle Heights to Maywood and Huntington Park.

The District officials also instructed the company to convene public meetings to make the residents aware of the impacts of the emissions and the increased risk of cancer being created by the emissions from the plant. The company is also asked to take necessary actions to reduce contamination.

The plant is said to emit dangerous levels of arsenic which can cause cancer. According to company officials, Exide Technologies have taken extensive steps to cut lead emissions over the past three years. Efforts are on to contain emissions of arsenic by bringing necessary modifications to the plant.

The facility is granted 180 days to submit a detailed “risk reduction plan” that outlines the measures it is planning to curb the toxic emissions that can endanger a large population. If it fails to comply with the District orders, the company will face a per day fine of $ 25,000 and ultimately to a complete shutdown of operations.

Exide Technologies is one of the major players in the battery recycling industry and had been operating since 1922. The plant has a recycling capacity of around 41,000 batteries.