Exide Technologies has agreed to settle a $3.9million lawsuit alleging Clean Air Act violations at it lead smelter in Muncie, Indiana.
The lawsuits were brought by the United States and the State of Indiana.
The settlement will see Exide Technologies install state-of-the-art pollution control equipment to reduce harmful air pollution from the facility.
The lawsuit claimed the facility failed to comply with national emission standards resulting in the release of excess lead, said a statement on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website.
The actions required by the settlement should reduce harmful emissions of lead, particulate matter (soot), total hydrocarbons and dioxin/furans. The settlement also requires the company to pay a civil penalty of $820,000.
The settlement was lodged with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana and is subject to a 30-day public comment period and final court approval.
This latest development in Exide’s history follows an announcement it will close its Vernon lead battery recycling plant after entering into an non-prosecution agreement with US officials.