Ohio EPA Issues Permit to Allow Shredder

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has issued an air pollution permit that will allow Milliron Industries, Mansfield, Ohio, to install a metal shredding operation. The facility will handle automobiles, appliances, and other types of scrap metal.

To further reduce mercury emissions, Ohio EPA is requiring Milliron to remove readily accessible mercury switches from automobiles before shredding them. It is the first time the Ohio EPA has included this requirement in an air pollution control permit.

The permit also requires the company to remove all batteries, which contain lead, gas tanks and gasoline. Workers also are required to remove other readily removable auto fluids, including motor oil and antifreeze, before shredding the vehicles.

The shredding activity at the facility may emit up to 22.98 tons of particulate matter – dust-like particles – a year, and up to 26 pounds of mercury a year.