COMMUNITY REPORTED 6/10/25

Got an email today that was very disconcerning… a lady was reporting a local painting company for spraying toxic paint all day at there business. The fumes and paint, end up in the air of the community and school bus stop down the road.

Currently, we are tracking a little over 10 million facilities around the world, who are currently releasing toxins every day and night…but not able to track smaller factories like this one.

We are creating a Community Reporting Feature to help concerned citizens take action. Will have updated in a week or less. Stay tuned.

Hi,

Can I add a business to you polluting list?  It is located a half a block from me and just three houses away from the school bus stop:
Rojahn Custom Cabinetry
P.O. Box 147
33 West Maple Street
Dallastown, PA 17313

They paint all of the cabinets they sell in the US in the building nearby and it is bordered on each side by houses.  I have contacted the PA Dept. of the Environment but the law here allows for the facility to release as many chemical fumes out their chimneys as they want as long as it doesn’t include paint particulate that is landing on houses/cars etc.

Here is the link to the Paint Company: https://g.co/kgs/6Ph7zuD

When the Air Isn’t Safe: A Real Story From Small-Town Pennsylvania

In a quiet Pennsylvania neighborhood, just a few houses away from a school bus stop, a local cabinet business has become a source of concern for residents. The company paints all of the cabinetry it sells in a nearby building — a facility nestled between homes in a densely populated area.

While the business complies with current state laws (which permit chemical fume releases as long as paint particulate doesn’t visibly land on nearby properties), the smell and potential health risks of airborne toxins are very real to the neighbors living just feet away.

This story is not unique. Across the country, countless small towns face similar contradictions: businesses operate legally, but the long-term health of families and children may still be at risk due to poorly regulated emissions.

But there’s good news: technology and solutions exist today that can help reduce chemical pollution from small industrial operations — without shutting them down.

What’s in the Air?

Facilities that spray or cure paint often release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like:

• Toluene

• Xylene

• Formaldehyde

• Acetone

• Benzene (a known carcinogen)

These VOCs can linger in the air and contribute to:

• Asthma and respiratory irritation

• Headaches and dizziness

• Long-term neurological or developmental effects in children

• Increased risk of cancer in prolonged exposure zones

Even low levels of VOCs can cause problems, especially for vulnerable populations — including children, elders, and those with compromised immune systems.

Solutions for Painting Facilities: What Can Be Done?

If you’re a small business owner operating a painting facility — or live near one — here are technologies and practices that reduce harm and protect the surrounding community:

1. Low-VOC or Water-Based Paint Systems

Switching to waterborne paints can cut emissions by up to 90%. These products are:

• Widely available

• Comparable in quality and durability

• Safer for both workers and residents

👉 Find Low-VOC paint suppliers

2. Spray Booths with Capture and Filtration

Installing a closed spray booth with a carbon or HEPA filtration system traps airborne chemicals before they’re released outdoors.

• Fully contained systems prevent overspray

• Can be customized for small spaces

• Filters can be replaced periodically for efficiency

👉 Request a spray booth quote from Global Finishing Solutions
👉 Shop compliant spray booths via Reliant Finishing Systems

3. Activated Carbon Filters

These systems trap VOC molecules before they exit through chimneys or exhaust ducts, preventing neighborhood exposure.

• Compact systems available for small buildings

• Low energy usage

• Easy to install at emission points

👉 Get a quote from AirClear Environmental
👉 Learn about industrial carbon filters from Camfil

4. Thermal Oxidizers

These systems burn off VOCs before releasing air into the environment.

• Effective for heavy-use operations

• Require professional installation and regular monitoring

• High upfront cost, but very clean emissions

👉 Explore regenerative thermal oxidizers from Anguil

Win-Win: Cleaner Tech Helps Business Too

Modernizing operations isn’t just good for your neighbors — it’s good for your brand. Businesses that adopt green or safer tech often benefit from:

• Tax credits or local grants

• Positive press and community support

• Stronger worker health and retention

• New customers seeking environmentally responsible companies

We believe local business and community health can coexist. We’re here to help make that happen.

Want to See If Your Neighborhood Has Similar Issues?

Search your city or region on CleanRecoveryAct.com and let us know if you spot polluters near your home. We’re building a public database of environmental concerns that government agencies often overlook — and you can help us fill in the blanks.

Together, we can change what “normal” looks like.

Because true self-care isn’t just personal. It’s environmental.