What happens when you live in a wooded, natural place where a citrusy, acrid odor makes enjoying the outdoors unpleasant or even a health hazard? Some residents of Ahmeek say that’s what they’re contending with, and they blame Neuvokas Corporation, a local manufacturer of an innovative type of rebar made with basalt fiber.

Neuvokas has been cited by the Department of Environmental Quality/Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (DEQ/EGLE) for the odor. To date, residents say, nothing has changed.

So they are circulating a petition, hoping to press DEQ/EGLE to action by showing them how many residents are concerned. “There is strength in numbers,” says Deborah Butler, who posted the petition on Change.org. 

They Just Want the Smell to Go Away

“We don’t have any issue with what they are manufacturing, and they do employ people in our area,” says Mike Delesha, Butler’s husband: “We don’t care what they are doing. We just don’t want to smell it. We don’t have a personal vendetta. We just want the smell to stop.”

“There are numerous ways to mitigate industrial odors,” Delesha goes on to say.

One used by asphalt plants, which emit an unpleasant odor, is a baghouse—an industrial-scale fabric filter system engineered to collect, capture and separate dust and particulates from the air. 

After residents first complained about the odor, DEQ/EGLE sent two inspectors. One found no violations. The other did note violations, and a citation was issued on Dec. 8, 2021. 

According to Jill Greenberg, a spokesperson for DEQ/EGLE, the last violation notice is still currently outstanding since the odor issue is ongoing, and the company has not yet fulfilled its compliance plan. The compliance plan includes installing a film cover on the product at the curing end of the process, which is believed to be the main source of the odors. The company says it is currently designing this cover, and it will require testing once in place. EGLE has given Neuvokas until March 31 for full implementation, which aligns with the timeframe provided by the company.

Since the Dec. 8, 2021 violation notice, EGLE has continued to conduct odor evaluations and to check in regularly with the company on other actions to improve the odor issue, Greenberg says. So far, evaluations have not warranted another odor violation citation, Greenberg says. 

“The company has been responsive and has made other improvements including stack height increases, carbon filtration systems, in-plant air recirculation towers, intake air system upgrades, additional housekeeping measures and monitoring,” Greenberg goes on to say. “EGLE will continue to follow up on any complaints we receive, continue to check in with the company for progress reports and evaluate the effectiveness of the film project after March 31.” 

Neuvokas Response

Erik Kiilunen, CEO of Neuvokas, says the company is aware of the odor problem and is doing its best to correct it.

 About two years ago, Neuvokas switched to a new resin system that has a carbon footprint that is 50 percent less than the epoxy system it was using, Kiilunen explains. 

“The unfortunate reality is that it does have an odor that the company has continuously worked to mitigate,” he says. “The difficulty is that the odor can be detected by the human nose on a parts-per-billion level.” 

The measuring equipment used by Neuvokas can only detect odors at parts per million, not parts per billion, Kiilunen says. Parts per million is the level required by DEQ/EGLE, he adds. 

“We have spent over $150,000 to mitigate the challenge,” he adds. “In December, we added additional filtration for odors and improved airflow throughout the building.” 

“The company treats all complaints seriously, and it has implemented and continues to implement multiple continuous improvement projects,” Kiilunen says

The company communicates bi-weekly with DEQ/EGLE to update them on progress, Kiilunen goes on to say. 

Neuvokas employs more than 50 people, It is the largest employer in Keweenaw County.

“Neuvokas is directly responsible for providing income to feed and shelter more than 100 local community members,” Kiilunen says. 

Ramping Up to Reopen

At the moment, manufacturing at Neuvokas is shut down because they are expanding their facility.

“What a lovely reprieve that’s been,” Butler says.

The plant is due to begin operations again at the end of January.  The new facility is designed to use a new technology that will completely encase the product and stop around 99 percent of the potential odor release by keeping the product sealed with a physical barrier that will not allow the odor to escape, Kiilunen says. After completing this development, Neuvokas plans to retrofit its current lines to eliminate the odor there as well, he adds.

“The citation is not being enforced,” Delesha says. “What Neuvokas said they would do has not been done.”

One of the things Neuvokas said they would do in response to the DEQ/EGLE citation is keep their overhead door shut, he notes.

“It was open every day last summer.” 

Butler adds, “We don’t want to move, but that smell has to stop. It’s not fair that we can’t enjoy the beautiful, wooded area where we live.”

She’s hoping the petition will prompt some action. According to the 2020 census, Ahmeek has a population of 127, and Butler’s petition already has 137 signatures.

“We want DEQ/EGLE to see that this is supported by the community,” she says. “Talking to the company will not help. We have tried that.”

Kiilunen responds: “The employees of Neuvokas ask the community to understand that it hears them and is working responsibly to address all concerns as quickly as they can.  When these tasks are completed, Neuvokas will remain a foundation of the community, providing high paying jobs and development opportunity to the residents of Keweenaw and Houghton Counties for years to come.”