MOSES LAKE - REC Silicon received a $10,000 fine Monday for releasing more than triple the amount of nitrogen oxide allowed by its air quality permit.

The release is because the equipment involved, the "acid etch scrubber,"  wasn't maintained properly, according to Dave Wendland, a state Department of Ecology (DOE) air quality specialist.

Materials and liquids moving inside the scrubber hardened, making the equipment ineffective, he stated.

The DOE fine is the result of an emissions test done in June.

It was found that 2.92 pounds of nitrogen oxide per hour was released, instead of the allowed 0.63 pounds per hour, according to Janie Gilbert.

The company doesn't plan to appeal the fine to the state Pollution Control Hearings Board, according to a company statement.

The equipment has been repaired.

"We will make sure we have systems in place, and monitor the equipment's performance to ensure compliance within regulatory framework," stated REC Silicon Vice President of Operations Kent Stephens.

As soon as the company received the test results, REC Silicon immediately took the equipment out of operation and corrected the problem, according to Sharon Palmerton, REC Silicon's Head of Community Affairs.

"REC Silicon continues to work closely with the (state) Department of Ecology and takes all violations seriously," she stated. "As an organization, REC Silicon continues to make every effort to prevent similar incidents, as the safety and compliance remain, as always, a top priority."

Nitrogen oxides respond to ammonia, moisture, and other compounds to form small particles, according to the DOE.

If humans inhale the particles, they can result in or worsen emphysema or bronchitis, or aggravate existing heart disease.

"It's extremely important to control pollutants from industrial sites as well as cars and trucks," stated Karen Wood, manager of the DOE's Air Quality Program in Spokane. "Nitrogen oxides can damage people's health if they are exposed long enough. REC will need to improve its maintenance procedures to make sure this doesn't happen again."