“We take seriously our charge to protect public health,” says director of health Kevin Gipson. “We know this type of operation releases pollutants into the air, but without the proper permits in place, we have no knowledge of the type and amount of pollutants that are actually being released.”

The business operates a 60-ton-per-hour hammermill metal shredder process for metals recycling. It receives several truckloads per day of end-of-life vehicles and appliances, plus other various metallic products, and processes these materials into recyclable metals. Many of these items contain air contaminants such as gasoline in fuel tanks, motor and transmission oils, Freon, lead and asbestos.

The Cease and Desist Order requires the business to shut down operations for at least 60 days and to take all steps necessary before reopening to ensure air contaminants released while operating their facility do not exceed allowable emission levels set by the State Air Pollution Control Program and will not cause a public health threat.

The health department initiated their investigation after receiving complaints from area residents.