A mobile home manufacturer decided to stop outsourcing the painting on aluminum back in-house. They decided to install their own paint line using a powder coat finish, which essentially blasts the color onto raw aluminum. As a by-product of that process, VOCs (volatile organic compounds) remain in the atmosphere of the paint booths filled with a constant mist of dust. The remaining VOCs that escaped the room left via air ducts and blowers installed in the ceiling.

After the first year of operation, the regional inspector from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) came through the factory and advised ownership that they did not have the proper "scrubbers" installed in the air ducts and was causing harm to the environment around the plant. The plant was bordered by two residential communities and on two other sides by adjacent woods. A $100,000 fine was assessed. The cost to remedy the situation and properly install the required scrubbers was $1,000,000.

The owner chose not to make any improvements. The following year the EPA inspector returned and once again, the owner was fined $100,000. The process continued through the remaining decade.

Do you agree with the approach taken by the owner and if not, why not?