Edit 9/27/17: The most recent updates on this article can be found here.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) has issued Public Health Directives to four Paramount metal companies: Carlton Forge Works, Mattco Forge, Press Forge, and Weber Metals. The City of Paramount is a contract city and, as such, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health serves as the health department for the City.
According to the DPH Directives, the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s (SCAQMD) air monitoring network documented elevated emissions of hexavalent chromium in July 2017. As such, DPH asserts that these four companies are operating in violation of the California Health and Safety Code, and causing a public nuisance that endangers the health of the surrounding community.
The DPH Directives order the four facilities to cooperate with SCAQMD to eliminate the current nuisance endangering public health as well as notify the Department with their intent to comply.
The City was alerted to these Public Health Directives by Supervisor Janice Hahn’s office.
“These emissions pose a serious health risk to local residents, workers, and young school children in the area and if they persist, these companies must be shut down. I will continue to work closely with the Department of Public Health and the SCAQMD to force these companies and any other offenders into compliance,” said Supervisor Hahn.
Click/tap the links below to view each Public Health Directive.
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