News Releases from Region 05

EPA and DOJ Reach Settlement with S.H. Bell to Install Air Monitors at Chicago Facility and Pay $100,000 Fine

(CHICAGO) December 15, 2016—The U.S. Department of Justice and Environmental Protection Agency have reached an agreement with S.H. Bell Company to install air monitors at the company’s facility in Southeast Chicago. The company will also pay a $100,000 civil penalty.

Under the settlement agreement, S.H. Bell will install four air monitors at its facility at 10218 South Avenue O in Chicago to measure PM10 (particulate matter smaller than 10 micrometers in diameter). The air monitors must be operational by March 1, 2017, and the data reported to EPA. S.H. Bell must also take measures to control dust at its facility. Pittsburgh-based S.H. Bell handles and stores many different types of materials at its Chicago facility, such as metals, limestone and fertilizer.

 “EPA is taking action to protect the air in Southeast Chicago, where people are overburdened by pollution,” EPA Acting Regional Administrator Bob Kaplan said. “Monitoring the air quality is an essential first step towards keeping people healthy.”

Very small particles such as PM10 pose a serious potential threat to human health because the particles can become embedded in people’s lungs and may even enter the bloodstream. Exposure to PM pollution has been linked to decreased lung function, aggravated asthma, and premature death in people with heart or lung disease.

For more information: /petroleum-coke-chicago/sh-bell-complaint