News
Blumenthal, DEP seek court order stopping harmful emmissions by industrial laundry company
By Attorney General's office
Apr 9, 2008 - 6:28:19 PM

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Gina McCarthy today won a temporary injunction against an industrial laundry facility that has illegally emitted toxic substances threatening public health.

G&K Services Co. operates an industrial laundry facility at 15
Boyden St., Waterbury, where it launders, among other things, soiled shop towels and print towels contaminated with various solvents, oils and greases that contain volatile organic compounds.

Located within close proximity to residential homes, G&K’s
emissions created a nuisance odor, prompting complaints from neighbors.

The emissions – some carcinogenic and neurotoxic – can be irritating and damaging to lungs, eyes and skin.

Under today’s order, the company must shut down their shop and
print rag washer and dryers, beginning next Wednesday at 12 noon, until a permanent injunction is ordered or corrective action is taken.

Blumenthal said, “G&K is airing its dirty laundry – fouling our air with toxic industrial laundry emissions that illegally and dangerously threaten public health. Today’s court order will block G&K’s potentially harmful and illegal emissions. G&K disregarded several anti-pollution measures required under its state permits – measures intended to protect nearby neighbors from emissions that can irritate and damage eyes, skin and lungs. Callous and careless defiance of state pollution limits is completely unacceptable.”

Commissioner McCarthy said, “DEP’s investigation of the business
practices of G&K Services offers a vivid reminder of the importance of environmental laws and the need to enforce them. In response to complaints of strong odors from people living near G&K, our inspectors found serious violations of regulations governing emissions into the air and the handling and storage of materials classified as hazardous waste. This kind of behavior has put workers, the community and the environment at risk and is inexcusable and unacceptable in 21st century Connecticut.”

In violation of its DEP permits and state regulations, G&K allegedly failed to install proper air pollution control equipment or obtain a new source review (NSR) permit for the construction and operation of its industrial dryers, which are considered a stationary source of air pollution. G&K’s industrial dryers have the potential to emit more than 50 tons of VOCs annually.

According to a state toxicologist, this type of facility, if properly controlled, may be allowed to release small amounts of these chemicals that when mixed with outdoor air at proper height, will not lead to a public health risk.

Uncontrolled emissions – as G&K operated – poses a significant
public health threat, particularly the elderly, young children, pregnant women and those with medical conditions, a state toxicologist said in an affidavit.

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