A Paramount metal-finishing company was ordered by Southland air regulators Friday to shut down all operations that emit toxic hexavalent chromium, following readings that showed excessive emissions from the plant.

An Anaplex Corp. official said they are complying with the order by the South Coast Air Quality Management District and is continuing to work with the agency to reduce emissions.

“We take matters like this very seriously and remain committed to protecting the health and safety of our workers, the community and the environment,” said Anaplex President Carmen Campbell.

“Anaplex employees own the company and have expressed the willingness to invest out of their own profit-shares to purchase equipment that may be necessary to meet tough California standards, and to expedite the approvals necessary by SCAQMD.”

Wayne Nastri, executive officer of AQMD, said the plant at 15547 Garfield Ave. will not be able to restart operations until monitoring shows that chromium emissions have dropped below agreed-to levels. Three readings taken outside the plant between Jan. 26 and Jan. 31 had an average reading of 5.7 nanograms per cubic meter, above the threshold of 1 nanogram needed to trigger a shutdown. according to AQMD.

“The intent of the order is to protect public health and prevent potentially harmful levels of this toxic compound from being emitted,” Nastri said.

The shutdown is the first mandated for Anaplex since the AQMD board adopted the administrative order governing emissions from the plant and another Paramount metal-processing company, Aerocraft.

Aerocraft was forced to shut down last month for exceeding mandated emission limits.

According to the AQMD, hexavalent chromium is a carcinogen associated with lung cancer “when inhaled over long periods of time, typically years to decades.”

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— City News Service

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