EPA New England Press Releases

EPA Issues Environmental Violations Notice to Two Rhode Island Companies

Contact: Mark Merchant, EPA Press Office (617) 918-1013

For Immediate Release: September 21, 2001; Release # 01-09-16

BOSTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today issued notices of violation Seville Dying Co. and Dorado Processing Co. for failing to meet the federal Clean Air Act's environmental reporting and permitting requirements Dorado is a subsidiary of Seville. The companies are located next to each other on First Street and River Street in Woonsocket.

Related Information     Air Topics Air Permitting

Information collected by EPA and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management show that if the companies had complied with the permitting requirements of the Clean Air Act, they could have prevented over 200 tons of volatile organic compound – or VOCs – emissions from entering the air between 1996 and 1998.In addition, had the companies complied with Clean Air Act fuel usage standards, over 45 tons of sulfur dioxide emissions may have been avoided during the same time.

VOCs are a key component of smog. Smog is formed when VOCs and oxides of nitrogen interact in the presence of sunlight. Seville and Dorado, which use VOCs in dyeing fabric, are also sources of VOCs emissions.

Companies can significantly cut down on air emissions by following state and federal permitting requirements, which are in place to ensure air emissions and pollution standards are being met and and companies are using the best technology to control achieve lower emission rates.

Currently, the Dorado Processing Co. is closed. The Seville Dying Co. is in bankrupt and in state receivership and operating at a reduced level.

Visit EPA's Web site for more information permitting requirements and air pollution at:
http://www.epa.gov/oar/oaqps/