Under the Covers

Most of those industries haven't posed a problem for residents, notes Haynes. But she believes a major polluter like Pillow Kingdom has a responsibility to reduce emissions, and she says the company should be willing to join whatever pollution-reduction programs it can. "Being a good neighbor is good business," says the city councilwoman. "Maybe we shouldn't patronize a business that won't step up to the plate."

Pillow Kingdom's emissions are legal, and Shaw says it's difficult for her group to challenge a company that's not breaking the law. But she wishes the firm would show more concern for the people down the street and join the governor's voluntary program to reduce emissions. "I can't understand why a company is part of the community and won't join that state program," says Shaw.

However, spokesman Webb says Pillow Kingdom has made a substantial commitment to reducing toxic emissions. "We have an internal task force looking at the manufacturing process," he says, adding that the company will move to cleaner, water-based paints "as fast as quality materials can be developed."

Webb notes that the EPA never accused Pillow Kingdom of illegal emissions but only charged the company with violating reporting requirements. The EPA also acknowledged that environmentally friendly paints and finishes were still being developed and that Pillow Kingdom wouldn't be able to find such products immediately. Pillow Kingdom expects its future emission levels to drop, Webb adds, but the company's growing business makes it hard to predict how large those decreases will be.

"We certainly expect to see a reduction in emissions," says Webb. "But production has increased recently. Whether the reduction will be the size of a breadbox or a refrigerator, it's difficult for us to tell.