Sherwin-Williams fined for air quality violations in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, the Sherwin-Williams Manufacturing Company has entered into a consent order with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) following violations of the Air Pollution Control Act at its Rochester plant. The DEP discovered that the facility had failed to install a thermal oxidizer, an essential air pollution control device, which led to complaints from local residents about the overpowering smell of chemicals in the air. Families reported that the air quality inside their homes was poor, with air purifiers indicating hazardous conditions. The DEP had previously issued a violation to the plant in January for this failure, prompting the recent enforcement action.

The consent order mandates that Sherwin-Williams pay a civil penalty of $124,700 within 30 days. Additionally, the company must address several other violations, including the failure to operate air cleaning devices promptly, construction without proper plan approval, missed startup notifications, and inadequate monitoring and recordkeeping. The DEP emphasized that protecting the air quality in Pennsylvania is a top priority and that this agreement holds Sherwin-Williams accountable for its past actions while setting strict penalties for any future violations.

In a statement, a Sherwin-Williams spokesperson noted that the order is the result of a collaborative process with the DEP aimed at improving the facility. They acknowledged that the original thermal oxidizer was damaged during shipment, which caused delays in its installation. The company is committed to completing the necessary improvements and ensuring responsible operation of the plant. The thermal oxidizer is expected to be installed by the end of October, which is crucial for compliance with air quality regulations.

The DEP has also warned that if Sherwin-Williams fails to meet any of the deadlines outlined in the consent order, the company will incur additional fines of $1,000 per day for each violation. This situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by manufacturing facilities in adhering to environmental regulations and the importance of timely compliance to protect public health and the environment.