Background, Archives & Other Resources

This archive contains historical reports and resources associated with South Coast AQMD's air quality investigation in Paramount.

For current activities, visit the Paramount Emissions Investigation main page.

Background

In 2013, South Coast AQMD received a series of metallic odor complaints from local community members in Paramount. In response to these complaints, the agency 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, 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 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.

This was an unprecedented, extensive effort 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.

Historical Air Monitoring Reports

Map of Monitors

South Coast AQMD Air Monitoring Locations in the City of Paramount

March 1-April 5, 2018 Mobile Monitoring of Air Pollutants in Paramount and Compton Research Project (PDF): Mobile monitoring was conducted in the greater Los Angeles area, focusing on Paramount, Compton, Gardena, and the City of Industry. The mobile laboratory was equipped to measure a broad range of air pollutants, including particulate matter size, mass, and composition (including hexavalent chromium and other air toxic metals), volatile organic hydrocarbons (e.g. benzene, a carcinogen, and styrene, an odor concern), combustion species (e.g. CO2 and CO from vehicle exhaust), and others. This research project was conducted to demonstrate the capabilities of state-of-the-art equipment for monitoring particle and gaseous air toxic pollutants in real- or near-real-time.
October 15, 2016 Monitoring Data and Map for hexavalent chromium (PDF).
October 15-November 2, 2016 Assessment of Initial Data from Expanded Monitoring of Hexavalent Chromium in Paramount (PDF).
2013 multi-metals Site 2 Ambient Concentration Data on Vermont Avenue (PDF).
2013 multi-metals Site 3 Ambient Concentration Data on California Avenue (PDF).
Dec. 2016 - April 2017 multi-metals Sites 8, 15, 19, 23, and 24 Ambient Concentration Data (PDF).
August 10, 2016 Report on Updated Air Monitoring and Preliminary Assessment of Health Impacts (PDF). Provides a summary of air sampling results and preliminary estimates of health risks based on long-term monitoring data in the community at Sites #2 and #3. Also provides a summary of South Coast AQMD rule development activities to address emissions from grinding operations at metal forging facilities.

Schools - Monitoring Results & Assessments

Air Monitoring Results for Schools Report (PDF): South Coast AQMD worked with the California Air Resources Board to conduct air monitoring at schools in the city of Paramount. Results for hexavalent chromium air monitoring and a map identifying the schools in the city of Paramount are provided in the reports.

May 3, 2017 Updated Assessment of Hexavalent Chromium Data at Paramount Schools (PDF)
April 12, 2017 Updated Assessment of Hexavalent Chromium Data at Paramount Schools (PDF)
Feb. 22, 2017 Assessment of Hexavalent Chromium Data at Paramount Schools (PDF)

Individual Sites - Air Sampling, Source Test Reports & Calculation Methodology

Air Monitoring at Carlton Forge Works (PDF) - Dec. 2014
Air Monitoring at Carlton Forge Works (PDF) - Jan. 2014
A summary of air sampling, material sampling, and South Coast AQMD actions and Carlton Forge Works voluntary actions. Includes air sampling results from Aug. 2013 to Dec. 2013.

Source Test Reports

Screening Source Test Report for Aerocraft (Source Test 16-333) (PDF, 6Mb) - Dec. 9, 2016
Screening Source Test Report for Anaplex (Source Test 16-334) (PDF, 11Mb) - Dec. 9, 2016
Screening Source Test Report for Carlton Forge Works (Source Test 17-340) (PDF, 3Mb) - Sept. 1, 2017
Screening Source Test Report for Lubeco (Source Test 17-337) (PDF, 6Mb) - June 9, 2017
Screening Source Test Report for Mattco Forge (Source Test 17-336) (PDF, 3Mb) - June 2, 2017
Screening Source Test Report for Press Forge (Source Test 17-338) (PDF, 9Mb) - Sept. 1, 2017
Screening Source Test Report for Weber Metals (Source Test 17-339-341-343) (PDF, 7Mb) - Sept. 1, 2017

Calculation Methodology for Evaluating Sampling Results for Curtailment Threshold for Orders for Abatement (PDF).

This calculation methodology describes the approach used to determine each facility’s contribution to a local monitor’s level of hexavalent chromium. Under the Stipulated Orders for Abatement for Anaplex and Aerocraft, curtailment of any chrome emitting operation is required if hexavalent chromium levels are more than 1.0 ng/m3 of hexavalent chromium to any monitor, averaged over three samples. This calculation methodology takes into account each facility’s contribution, typical levels of hexavalent chromium found regionally, and contributions from local sources. This approach may be modified in the future as more information becomes available.

Historical Hearing Board Information

2016-2017 Hearing Board Activity for Anaplex and Aerocraft

Case No. 6066-1. Petition for Order for Abatement (PDF, 2Mb) - November 29, 2016
SCAQMD v. Aerocraft Heat Treating Co., Inc. [Facility ID No. 23752]; Anaplex Corporation [Facility ID No. 16951]; and DOES 1-100.
Aerocraft Heat Treating Co., Inc.'s Appeal on Stipulated Order for Abatement - February 17, 2017 (PDF)
Amendment to the Findings and Decision Relative to Aerocraft Heat Treating, Co., Inc. – January 20, 2017 (PDF)
Stipulated Order for Abatement Aerocraft Heat Treating Co. Inc. - December 21, 2016 (PDF)
Stipulated Order for Abatement Anaplex Corp. - January 10, 2017 (PDF, 2Mb)

2017 Hearing Board Activity for Carlton Forge Works

2017 Hearing Board Activity for Lubeco, Inc.

Stipulated Order for Abatement (PDF)
Petition for an Order for Abatement (PDF)
Exhibits (PDF) - Aug. 17, 2017
South Coast AQMD's Declarations in Support of Stipulated Order for Abatement (PDF) - Aug. 17, 2017
Lubeco, Inc.'s Declarations (PDF) - Aug. 17, 2017

Historical Facility Investigations & Information

Of the many locations monitored during the special odor and emissions investigation in Paramount, South Coast AQMD detected elevated emissions at the following facilities, and conducted further compliance and enforcement actions. Visit the individual facility's page for details.:

Fact Sheet Related to Facilities in Paramount December 7, 2016 (PDF) (English) - (Spanish)

Fact Sheet: Status Update on Aerocraft and Anaplex – December 28, 2016 (PDF)