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Neighbors weary of company's plan to keep orange dust off their property

HARRISBURG, N.C. — The steel galvanizing plant in Harrisburg at the center of several Channel 9 investigations told state regulators it has a plan to prevent emissions from damaging neighboring property.

Channel 9 reported on Galvan Industries, which got the attention of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. According to a letter DEQ sent Galvan on July 31, the department gave the company 30 days to come up with a plan to contain its messy emissions.

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Business owners in the office complex on Highway 49 that shares a fence with the plant have continually complained of rust-colored dust staining cars, expensive equipment and the façade of their businesses.

Channel 9 obtained a copy of Galvan Industries response to the state that was dated Aug. 27.

According to the letter, the company will reduce stirred-up dust by removing 1,000 tons of dirt from the gravel area of the property. Employees will reduce travel speed of its forklifts and roof fans in the plant will be turned off.

Galvan said it will also improve its equipment and better train employees who use it.

"Galvan Industries has met with the process fume enclosure manufacturer and we are acting on suggestions for reducing the gaps on the fume enclosure that would increase its efficiency," the letter, which was signed by Harshad Londhe, said.

The company will also add translucent siding on "the north side of the pickle bay" to help contain steam and mist and block dust from entering neighboring property.

"Galvan Industries believes that the yard improvement, enclosure improvements and work in and around the pickle bay will help reduce any fugitive emissions," Londhe said.

Neighbors like Bonita Pickett are hesitant to celebrate the news that Galvan is working to address the dust.

"I'm not sure what to think, because this has been going on for so long," Pickett told Channel 9 Friday. "I've been a tenant here for 10 years. All of a sudden they want to be a good neighbor."

Howard Stafford owns the business complex and has been battling with Galvan for more than 10 years. Channel 9 began its investigation more than a decade ago when Stafford called former Eyewitness News reporter Jim Bradley.

"I'm losing tenants and losing income," Stafford said. "I got another one that's going to leave in December. I need some help from somebody."

Neighbors said Galvan began controlling its emissions after Bradley's story aired in 2007 but in recent months the problem has returned.

Galvan said in its letter that it's already implemented some changes, but many neighbors say they haven't noticed a change.

"I'm not up here all the time, but I can't tell any difference," Stafford said.

A spokesperson for DEQ told Channel 9 in an email that representatives will meet with Galvan representatives to "get clarification on these action items and to establish a schedule for implementation."

Pickett hopes DEQ's attention to the matter will lead to positive change and cleaner air, but she said she's not hopeful.

"I hope they do well," Pickett said. "But they need to learn to contain what they're doing."

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