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EPA Orders South Windsor, Conn., Company to Comply with Air Emissions Standards

Release Date: 10/30/2000
Contact Information: Amy Miller, EPA Press Office (617-918-1042)

BOSTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced that it has ordered a South Windsor, Conn., metal coating company to come into compliance with laws regarding emissions of percloroethylene.

According to the administrative order, Plasma Technology Incorporated failed to comply with federal air laws regulating toxic emission from its vapor degreaser. The Clean Air Act requires companies that emit percloroethylene to install and operate control equipment to limit emissions. Plasma Technology failed to install the needed controls and maintain associated records.

Plasma Technology, which primarily serves the aircraft engine industry, applies thermal spray coatings to metal parts in order to provide a wear resistant service. The company uses a vapor degreaser with a capacity of about 70 gallons to clean metal parts before coating. The degreaser uses uses percloroethylene, which is regulated by federal air law.

"Percloroethylene can cause sleepiness, dizziness and nausea if it is inhaled for long periods of time" said Mindy S. Lubber, Regional Administrator of EPA New England. "Plasma Technology failed to comply with Clean Air Act and laws designed to protect the public from the toxic effects of Perc."

Even when inhaled for short periods of time, percloroethylene can cause headaches, dizziness, sleepiness and nausea. The US Department of Health has determined that percloroethylene may reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen.

The action against Plasma Technology stems from an August inspection of the company.