Under the terms of a settlement agreement, Lifoam Industries is also required to vent all of its manufacturing emissions through an air pollution control device.
According to EPA, Lifoam, which manufactures expanded polystyrene foam products containing pentane, a volatile organic compound that contributes to ozone pollution, or smog, failed to keep volatile organic compound emissions below 2.4 pounds for every 100 pounds of raw materials, a violation of the Clean Air Act.
The polystyrene foam product manufacturers in the Los Angeles Air Basin are required to use raw materials that release less volatile organic compounds or use adequate air pollution control devices to meet the federally-enforceable emissions limit.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District, which oversees the air regulations in this region, confirmed that Lifoam installed and operated air-pollution-emitting equipment without obtaining the necessary permits and did not properly vent volatile organic compounds to air pollution control equipment.
Jared Blumenfeld, regional administrator of EPA, Pacific Southwest, said: “The effects of illegal air pollution in the Los Angeles basin are insidious, and local residents suffer a disproportionate impact. To protect public health and the environment, we will vigilantly track down violators and bring them into compliance.”
