A Bay Area company that provides industrial chemicals and services was fined $1.15 million Thursday for air quality violations at its sulfuric acid manufacturing plant in Richmond.
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District, a public agency monitoring air pollution in the Bay Area, resolved seven notices of violation to Richmond-based Chemtrade with the fine.
The violations primarily concerned Chemtrade’s emissions monitoring system, which under-reported sulfur dioxide emissions by an estimated 33 percent per year on average over an eight-year period. Chemtrade allegedly failed to properly calibrate, operate and maintain its monitoring system, leading to this underreporting of sulfur dioxide emissions.
Sulfur dioxide contributes to acid rain and has harmful impacts on the respiratory system.
“The substantial financial penalties for these violations send a clear message to Chemtrade that they must accurately monitor their sulfur dioxide emissions in compliance with all air quality regulations to help protect those living in the surrounding communities,” said Dr. Philip Fine, executive officer of the Air District.
And how is this money going back into the community that was harmed by this pollution?
Probably will be used for pay & benefit increases for the BAAQMD staff…
When will they fine the company that is running the former Shell refinery?
For years there were very few incidents with Shell. Under new ownership there seems to be an incident weekly