EPA honors Osram Sylvania plant

Osram Sylvania Products’ automotive lighting plant in Hillsboro is one of 25 facilities cited by the Environmental Protection Agency for their efforts in reducing the use of lead, dioxin and other chemicals and materials in their manufacturing processes.

EPA honored the 25 National Partnership for Environmental Priorities members for reducing or removing significant “priority chemicals,” the EPA said. The partners’ combined efforts reduced or eliminated 144 pounds of dioxin, 4,335 pounds of PCBs, 26,750 pounds of mercury, and more than 1 million pounds of lead.

In Hillsboro, Osram Sylvania significantly reduced the use of lead in its manufacturing of automotive lighting. The plant eliminated 20,300 pounds of lead by transitioning from the use of leaded to non-leaded glass, the EPA said.

NPEP is a partnership of public and private organizations that reduce or remove the use of priority chemicals in products and waste. By 2011, NPEP aims to reduce or eliminate 4 million pounds of priority chemicals. – JEFF FEINGOLD/NEW HAMPSHIRE BUSINESS REVIEW