News Releases - 2000

Illinois EPA Refers Krel Laboratories, Inc., to Attorney General for Enforcement

Springfield, Ill. -- The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has formally requested that the Illinois Attorney General file a civil enforcement action against Krel Laboratories, Inc., a Chicago plating firm located at 388 N. Avers.

On July 25, 2000, at approximately 8 a.m., while stripping nickel from steel beams in its nitric acid stripping tank at that location, a reaction occurred which caused the release of nitrogen dioxide, nitrogen oxide and nitric acid. Citizens within a one-half mile radius were temporarily evacuated and local commuter rail service was temporarily interrupted in response to the release.

The Illinois EPA has determined that the release violated State air pollution laws and Illinois Pollution Control Board regulations. The Illinois EPA has further determined that Krel Laboratories is currently operating without the required state air pollution control operating permit.

"We will vigorously pursue action against this facility. A healthy environment in Illinois depends on facilities complying with the laws and regulations intended to protect the public," said Illinois EPA Director Tom Skinner. "In addition to being hazardous, the release from the Krel facility caused tremendous inconvenience for a great number of people, particularly those living nearby."

The City of Chicago Department of Environment has requested Krel not operate the nitric acid tank until the cause of the incident has been identified and technical measures have been implemented to preclude further incidents of this type. The State intends to coordinate actions with those of the city.

It is also the Illinois EPA's understanding that Krel was required to report the release to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), but failed to do so. The Illinois EPA will coordinate with IEMA on this issue.

The Illinois EPA also requests that Krel conduct a study to determine the cause of the release and subsequently implement measures sufficient to prevent further incidents of this type.

Investigation is ongoing to determine the nature of Krel’s operation relating to their hydrochloric acid and nitric acid storage practices and to determine if they are subject to certain provisions of the federal Clean Air Act, including a risk management plan.