CHICAGO (Oct. 20, 2005) — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has reached an agreement with Indianapolis Casting Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of International Truck and Engine Corp., on alleged clean-air violations at the company's iron foundry at 5565 Brookville Road, Indianapolis.
"To improve air quality in the Indianapolis area, Indianapolis Casting has agreed to fund the retrofitting of 139 diesel-powered city buses with emission control devices," said Regional Administrator Thomas V. Skinner. He said the company will also pay a $445,960 penalty.
The agreement resolves EPA allegations that Indianapolis Casting made major modifications to its plant significantly increasing volatile organic compound emissions without getting construction and operating permits. In addition, EPA alleged that the company did not comply with lowest achievable emission rate requirements and requirements to offset its increased emissions by making reductions elsewhere.
In a related action, EPA ordered Indianapolis Casting to get appropriate permits for its unpermitted core machines, and to operate proper air pollution control devices while the core machines are in operation. The order also requires testing, operation and maintenance of those control devices according to federal standards.
The primary VOC emitted by Indianapolis Casting's core machines is triethylamine, a hazardous air pollutant. Short-term exposure to triethylamine vapor can cause eye irritation, corneal swelling, halo vision and skin and mucous membrane irritation. The effects have been reversible when exposure stops.
Volatile organic compounds contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone or smog. Smog is formed when a mixture of air pollutants is baked in the hot summer sun. Smog can cause a variety of respiratory problems, including coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest pain. People with asthma, children and the elderly are especially at risk, but these health problems are important to everyone. | 
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