Exide has been ordered to reduce output at its secondary lead smelter plant in Vernon, California by 15% after breaching lead emissions limits.
California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) sets a limit of 0.15 mg/m3 of air based on a 30-day average. A high reading at Vernon on 9 September led to Exide hitting an average reading of 0.17 mg/m3.
AQMD has ordered Exide to reduce production by 15% until it can prove its lead emissions have fallen below legal limits. Exide does not use advanced wet electrostatic precipitators to reduce emissions as employed by Quemetco at their California facilty.
An AQMD spokesman told AMM.com: “The bottom line is Exide has to reduce their air toxic emissions, specifically lead and arsenic.” Exide did not offer a comment.