CONWAY, Kan. – As a result of an EPA inspection in April of 2012, Mid-Continent Fractionation and Storage facility in Conway has agreed to spend approximately 2-million dollars to construct and operate a system to reduce emissions of volatile organic compound (VOC) vapors to the atmosphere.

The EPA inspection documented that Mid-Continent uses an emergency flare to control its VOC emissions. The flare’s operating settings resulted in decreased efficiency in controlling VOC emissions, resulting in the facility’s potential-to-emit VOCs to exceed permitted limits, in violation of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

As a part of this settlement, Mid-Continent will install and operate a new vapor collection system and two new open flame vapor combustion units. The installation and operation of these units will bring Mid-Continent into compliance with the CAA and reduce VOC emissions by more than 15 tons per year.

Volatile organic compounds are precursors to ozone, which may cause airway irritation; wheezing and breathing difficulty during exercise or outdoor activity; and aggravation of asthma and increased susceptibility to respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia and bronchitis.

Conway is located in western McPherson County.