Announcements

Ongoing Air Monitoring Activities 
Recent Enforcement Actions & Investigation Updates 
South Coast AQMD has issued Notices of Violation (NOVs) to two metal casting facilities in Paramount — Pro Cast Industries (15555 Minnesota Ave.) and Fenico LLC (7805 Madison St.) — following an investigation prompted by slightly elevated hexavalent chromium levels detected in September. 

At the City of Paramount’s monitoring location (15701 Minnesota Avenue), three consecutive samples showed slightly elevated levels of hexavalent chromium, triggering inspections at nearby facilities. Inspectors found multiple air quality violations, including: 

• Use of chromium-containing materials exceeding permit or rule limits (Pro Cast) 

• Improper storage of scrap containing chromium alloys (Pro Cast)

• Failure to obtain required permits for metal processing equipment (Both facilities)

• Failure to conduct required source tests to verify compliance with hexavalent chromium emission limits (Both facilities)

• Inadequate cleaning of areas within 20 feet of chromium alloy melting operations (Both facilities) 

NOVs may result in civil penalties or legal action if settlements are not reached. Facilities may also take voluntary steps to reduce emissions and prevent future violations. This is an active and ongoing investigation. 

Additional Monitoring & On-Site Evaluations 

To support the investigation, South Coast AQMD conducted: 

• A mobile monitoring survey on September 30 around the facilities and nearby neighborhoods. Mobile surveys collect short-duration (less than 5 minutes) samples to help identify potential “hot spots.” The survey targeted metals such as chromium, nickel, titanium, vanadium, arsenic, and lead. No elevated levels were detected during this survey. 

• Technical on-site evaluations at the facilities to identify any potential sources of hexavalent chromium within facility operations. 

These supplemental activities are part of South Coast AQMD’s ongoing efforts to monitor and reduce air toxic emissions in the community. 

Air Monitoring Update 
South Coast AQMD has completed the most extensive hexavalent chromium air monitoring program ever conducted in the South Coast Air Basin. Routine monitoring has since been transitioned to the City of Paramount, which continues to operate its air monitoring network. South Coast AQMD remains actively involved through targeted investigations, special sampling, and enforcement actions when needed.  

Paramount Emissions Investigation Fact Sheet - April 2021:   English (PDF)  |  Español (PDF)

Background  
Hexavalent chromium is a toxic air contaminant and a known human carcinogen. Long-term exposure over many years can increase the risk of lung cancer. 

South Coast AQMD began monitoring in Paramount in 2013 in response to community concerns over metallic emissions. Elevated levels of toxic metals identified in 2016 led to extensive investigations, advanced monitoring, and enforcement actions that resulted in significant reductions in ambient hexavalent chromium levels. 

Updated Air Monitoring Plan for Paramount
In October 2016, South Coast AQMD initiated an extensive air monitoring campaign to assess levels of hexavalent chromium in the industrialized sections of the City of Paramount. Highly elevated levels were found initially and additional efforts were conducted to identify and address sources of hexavalent chromium that were be impacting nearby communities. South Coast AQMD’s ongoing air monitoring results indicate a substantial progress in reducing ambient levels of hexavalent chromium. As a result, the South Coast AQMD is updating its air monitoring efforts in Paramount to focus on conducting studies to evaluate other potential sources of hexavalent chromium and also monitoring other areas of the Basin that may have higher potential for air toxics exposure. South Coast AQMD will continue to perform sampling at selected locations within the Paramount community and this document outlines the updated monitoring plan for the city of Paramount.

• Updated Air Monitoring Plan for Paramount (PDF) - June, 2018

Air Monitoring Data, Reports & Assessments

2021 Air Monitoring Update 
Between 2016 and 2021, South Coast AQMD conducted an extensive air monitoring campaign to identify sources of hexavalent chromium and other toxic metals. Air filter sample measurements were paused in December 2020 due to increased COVID-19 concerns. However, monitoring for multi-metals near Kindred Hospital continued. 

Location of hexavalent chromium monitoring sites active through December 2020 

Monthly Average Results of Hexavalent Chromium Near Facilities
Air monitoring results show substantial reduction of hexavalent chromium levels in late 2016/early 2017 at Aerocraft (site #8) and Anaplex (sites #14/#15). Overall, levels of hexavalent chromium have been consistently lower over the past two years at these sites. 

Toxic Metals with Long-Term Health Levels
Continuous multi-metals screening measurements are used to complement regular air monitoring to get a better understanding of emissions from nearby facilities. This, along with our monitoring data were used to provide a more complete picture in the Paramount area. This type of sampling has been used for four years at the Kindred Hospital. Toxic metals with long-term health thresholds (see below) are within typical (background) levels and well under long-term health-based exposure levels established by the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Background

In 2013, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) received a series of metallic odor complaints from local community members in Paramount. In response to these complaints, the South Coast AQMD staff began conducting an investigation into local sources of emissions, including initiating a local air sampling study. The purpose of these activities was to determine the source of emissions and potential air pollution control strategies. Ambient monitoring of toxic metal emissions began in 2013 at two sites on Vermont Avenue and California Avenue. Based on the monitoring results, there were two metals of concern: nickel and hexavalent chromium.  In 2014 and 2015, South Coast AQMD worked with Carlton Forge Works to reduce metal particulate emissions from its grinding operation. Carlton Forge Works implemented a number of voluntary measures that substantially reduced nickel levels. Since these measures did not reduce hexavalent chromium levels, the South Coast AQMD needed additional data to understand the source of these emissions. In October 2016, as part of its ongoing investigation to identify and address sources of hexavalent chromium that may be impacting the nearby communities, South Coast AQMD staff deployed several monitors in the mostly industrial areas of the City of Paramount. Initial results showed elevated levels of hexavalent chromium upwind of Carlton Forge Works. Results of monitoring efforts, South Coast AQMD Town Hall Meetings, air monitoring and public health reports, and other related information are posted on this website.

Summary of Efforts

The South Coast AQMD has undertaken unprecedented, extensive efforts to identify and reduce sources of hexavalent chromium in the City of Paramount. This Summary of Efforts in Paramount (PDF), summarizes the significant progress made and provides highlights of monitoring, enforcement, rule development, public outreach, and coordination efforts.

• South Coast AQMD List of Potential Business with Metal-Related Operations - Aug. 29, 2017 (PDF)

• Lists of Potential Businesses with Metal-Related Operations, Provided by the City of Paramount - updated February, 2018 (PDF)

• List of Potential Business with Metal-Related Operations, Provided by community members - July 14, 2017 (PDF)

Participating Agencies/Interagency Coordination

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health:

• Public Health Directive to Anaplex Corporation, Dec. 1, 2016

• Public Health Directive to Aerocraft Heat Treating Company, Inc., Dec. 1, 2016

Related Information

• Community Air Toxics Initiative

• South Coast AQMD's AB2588 "Toxic Hot Spots" Program

Complaints

Please contact us at 1-800-CUT-SMOG or file a complaint online, if you have information that can assist us in the investigation of sources of hexavalent chromium in the area. If desired, the information can be provided anonymously.

News Releases

• SCAQMD Sets Public Meetings to Review Risks from Anaplex Corp and Aerocraft Heat Treating Co in Paramount - October 30, 2018 (PDF)

• Anaplex in Paramount Ordered to Temporarily Suspend Operations - August 9, 2018 (PDF)

• New Law Enables Air Pollution Control Officers to More Quickly Halt Activities Alleged to Endanger Public Health - August 9, 2017 (PDF)

• Carlton Forge Works Agrees to Order to Reduce Potential for Creating Nuisance Odors - July 28, 2017 (PDF)

• SCAQMD Seeks Administrative Order to Curtail Hexavalent Chromium Emissions from Lubeco Inc. in Long Beach - July 26, 2017 (PDF)

• SCAQMD Seeks Administrative Order to Reduce Nuisance Odors from Carlton Forge Works in Paramount - July 11, 2017- July 11, 2017 (PDF)

• Anaplex in Paramount Ordered to Temporarily Suspend Operations - June 27, 2017 (PDF)

• SCAQMD Seeks Administrative Order to Curtail Nuisance Odors - June 13, 2017 (PDF) (en español)

• SCAQMD Orders Aerocraft in Paramount to Temporarily Suspend Hexavalent Chromium-Related Operations - March 16, 2017

• SCAQMD Orders Aerocraft in Paramount to Temporarily Suspend Hexavalent Chromium-Related Operations - March 3, 2017

• Board Adopts Rule to Reduce Metal Particulate Emissions - March 3, 2017

• Aerocraft in Paramount Temporarily Suspends Hexavalent Chromium-Related Operations - February 14, 2017 (PDF) (en español)

• Anaplex in Paramount Temporarily Suspends Operations - February 3, 2017 (PDF) (en español)

• Aerocraft in Paramount Temporarily Suspends Operations - January 19, 2017 (PDF) (en español)

• SCAQMD Continues to Seek Enforceable Emissions Reductions from Anaplex Corp. in Paramount- December 23, 2016 (en español)

• SCAQMD Takes Enforcement Actions to Reduce Toxic Emissions from Two Facilities in Paramount- November 29, 2016 (en español)

• SCAQMD Intensifies Investigation of Potential Sources of Hexavalent Chromium Emissions in Paramount- November 4, 2016  (en español)

• Information Regarding Emissions from Carlton Forge Works- December 20, 2014

• SCAQMD to Host Public Meeting on Air Quality Issues Related to Carlton Forge Works- January 21, 2104

More Information:

• For more information, please contact the South Coast AQMD Public Advisor at publicadvisor@aqmd.gov.