Demolition company’s dust clouds lead to fine

Jones Group, owner to pay $30,000

A local demolition firm has been handed fines totalling $ 30,000 for breaching provincial environmental laws by emitting clouds of dust at its Windsor work site in November 2010.

The Jones Group pleaded guilty in Ontario offences court Wednesday under the Environmental Protection Act for discharging contaminants into the atmosphere.

Prosecutor Peter Poly told the court the pollutant was dust from a cement demolition operation the company carried out in the 1600 block of McDougall Avenue.

As part of a joint submission between the prosecution and the defence, Poly told justice of the peace Holly DeBacker that five charges against the company would be dropped. DeBacker ruled that the company should pay a $25,000 fine for the infraction, while owner Terry Jones was handed an additional $5,000 fine for the same offence.

Poly said the company was breaking and grinding cement castings at its work site, resulting in clouds of cement dust rising into he sky and being blown by the wind into a residential area. At least one homeowner complained about the dust coating his vehicle and home on recurring occasions.

Defence lawyer Nadin Sahni said there were no toxic materials or chemicals found in the dust. He called the environmental impact “esthetic” in nature” and added “no permanent damage was done to the natural environment.”

He told the court that the company runs a small business that has been in existence for 17 years and this was its first offence.

He added that the company has learned to employ methods to keep dust to a minimum, including spraying water, as a result of the charges.

Poly said the joint submission’s recommendation for the minimum fine reflected the relatively minor nature of the infraction and the early guilty plea but also sends a message to deter other companies or individuals from committing similar offences.

“It is a reasonable penalty for this company,” said Poly. “The company is making efforts to ensure that there is no discharge in the future.”

Sahni declined to comment on behalf of the company.