The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has fined Superior Industries of Morris, Minn., $20,000 for emitting hazardous air pollutants between 2001 and 2011, the agency said Tuesday. The incidents were a violation of the emissions permit held by the company, which makes conveyor belts and bulk material handling equipment.
In December 2010, the company reported to the agency that it had consistently exceeded the amount of volatile organic compounds it is allowed to produce under its permit, and a subsequent report found that the violations continued through January 2011. Many of the compounds are carcinogens and can cause other health problems.
The company found that an emergency generator was being used for other purposes, but not listed in its inventory. It also found that control equipment had not been installed on sandblasting equipment.
The company has corrected the problems and agreed to pay a $20,000 penalty.
Josephine Marcotty