Anaplex Ordered to Temporarily Suspend Operations

The South Coast Air Quality Management District today ordered Anaplex Corporation to temporarily shut down all operations and processes emitting the toxic compound hexavalent chromium.

SCAQMD ordered Anaplex Corp. at 15547 Garfield Ave. to shut down all equipment with the potential to emit hexavalent chromium as of midnight tonight because the agency’s air monitors recorded levels of the compound above a trigger threshold of 1.0 nanograms per cubic meter.

The level is an average of three 24-hour samples collected over a period of about a week. The threshold, agreed to by Anaplex, was specified in an administrative order adopted by the independent SCAQMD Hearing Board on Jan. 10.

The following table shows recent levels of hexavalent chromium at two SCAQMD monitors downwind of Anaplex:

* Hexavalent chromium levels in nanograms/cubic meter, with background level of hexavalent chromium subtracted

Anaplex will not be able to resume operations of any equipment with the potential to emit hexavalent chromium until SCAQMD determines that the average of three most recent samples, collected over a period of about one week, is below 1.0 nanograms per cubic meter.

This is the third time SCAQMD has ordered Anaplex to curtail its operations since the Hearing Board adopted its order. The company previously curtailed work in February and June.

“After months of lowered emissions throughout the City, we are disappointed that Anaplex’s emissions have resulted in another curtailment,” said Mayor of Paramount Peggy Lemons. “However, this outcome is a good reminder that vigilance is the key to better air quality and Paramount’s environmental future. The City of Paramount will continue to partner with SCAQMD to monitor and enforce all regulations set in place.”

During fall 2016, SCAQMD found through an exhaustive and fast-paced investigation that Anaplex Corp. and Aerocraft Heat Treating Co. Inc. at 15701 Minnesota Ave. were the source of high levels of hexavalent chromium emissions.

Since then, SCAQMD has monitored more than 35 locations in the Paramount area and collected and analyzed hundreds of samples for hexavalent chromium. Hexavalent chromium is a potent human carcinogen associated with lung cancer when inhaled over long periods of time, typically years to decades.

SCAQMD is now reviewing health risk assessments and risk reduction plans for Anaplex and Aerocraft as required under the state’s Toxic Hot Spots program and SCAQMD Rule 1402 to ensure these facilities reduce all toxic air contaminants below required levels. The facilities have already begun some risk reduction measures.

Members of the public can find information on SCAQMD’s air monitoring and enforcement activities in Paramount at http://www.aqmd.gov/home/regulations/compliance/air-monitoring-activities#Compliance,%20Sampling.