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Fearful of neighbor's anodizing business in his basement!

My question is, the back of my neighbors house sits 100 feet from my property line and another 100 feet is my house. The problem, he has an anodizing business located in his walkout basement, he knocked out one of his basement windows and installed a fan, his back yard is all dirt, no grass and I see dry white spill marks outside the basement door running down the side of the yard. I'm afraid for myself and my family's health, the health of the people living in the subdivision (we have wells), and the health of his family (wife and young kids). What can I do? One thing I do know, the type of anodizing business he has, he's not working with chromium, thank goodness; however, we live in a residential neighborhood, the chemicals he uses to anodize, is it safe for him to do in the basement of his home and in a residential neighborhood? This guy works with all types of weapons, he's crazy, and unapproachable. From his website along with the anodizing work he does, he refers to coatings containing materials or chemicals developed for the Military, and Aerospace. Materials and chemicals such as Alumina, Boron Nitride, Powder Composites, Polytetrafluoroethylene, Molybdenum Disulfide and Silica, for creating high tech coatings. Somebody please advise.

Seth R [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
- Virginia
2007

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2007

You may find letter 9667 interesting, Seth. I do not believe any grave danger is posed to you or your neighbors by this operation, although the risk to his own family may be a different matter.

Nonetheless, these operations are supposed by be fully licensed regarding air permits, wastewater discharge permits, waste accumulation and hauling permits, etc., so that you can feel comfortable. (Although I would be more concerned about an armed, crazy, unapproachable, next door neighbor than a poorly run anodizing shop). I am sure there is an EPA Hotline number you can call.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

I would doubt that a residential area would be zoned to allow anodizing or "paint" operations. Check with the city and/or county zoning officials. Check to see if he has a business license with the county/city. If all else fails, then call the EPA hotline and ask them.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
2007

And remember the old adage: The Bigger They Are, the Harder They Hit. You may have one very irate (and dangerous) neighbor at your door...

George Brackett III
- Saco, Maine, USA
2007