Complaints Filed Against Foundry

A Michigan aluminum foundry has come under fire from residents from the surrounding area due to noise, odors and pollutionemissions.

Continental Aluminum Inc, located in the Lyon Township,Mich., area, uses scrap aluminum as its raw material. The company is being pressured by residents who are complaining about the environmental problems emanating from the smelter.

According to the Detroit Free Press, Continental Aluminum has been cited five times by DEQ inspectors, for violations ranging from odor problems to excessive emissions. The company remains on the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency's "significant violators" list.

A new draft state permit directs Continental to raise its smokestack heights from 50 to 80 feet; pay a $30,000 settlement for pastpollution; reduce emissions of dust-like particulates; and more closely monitorsmokestack filters.

Further, DEQ officials would require the foundry to immediately adopt federal emissions standards otherwise not required until 2003-- a safeguard, officials say, that should ensure cleaner air for OaklandCounty.

On March 20, 2000, the Michigan Department ofEnvironmental Quality cited Continental for violation of State Air Pollution Rule 203 which requires a company to submit "sufficient and accurate information" on their potential emissions before receiving an air permit.