EL MONTE, CA - An El Monte-based iron foundry will be required to make $4.7 million in improvements to its facilities to reduce odors in the surrounding community.

The required upgrades are the result of legal proceedings between Gregg Industries and the South Coast Air Quality Management District that settle 12 outstanding air quality violations. The violations, filed between October 2005 and August 2008, are for nuisance odors and violating air-pollution permits.

Gregg Industries officials said the improvements will make it one of the most odor-free foundries in North America.

"Its not going to make it smell like a flower shop, but we are confident it will smell like an industrial facility within the perimeters, but not be a nuisance to neighbors," Gregg spokesman Adan Ortega said.

AQMD spokesman Sam Atwood called the settlement "significant" and said it went beyond previous remediation orders from the agency.

The settlement requires improvements to begin almost immediately. The final upgrade is expected to be completed by Jan. 1, 2010.

The violations came as the result of hundreds of odor complaints made by nearby residents to AQMD.

Inspectors verified the odors and issued the violations in response, according to officials.

Gregg Industries operates a sand-mold and iron-casting foundry to cast metal parts used in the automotive and heavy machinery industry.

Resins used to form sand molds are a likely cause of the foul odors, according to AQMD.

Under the settlement, the company must phase out the use of resins with high organic content, which cause the most odor. It must submit to AQMD a plan for replacing and installing new equipment to reduce odors and install the equipment within about six months.

It also must provide documentation to AQMD that it spent at least $4.7 million on the odor-mitigation efforts.