GRAY COURT, S.C. —
An inspection report obtained by WYFF News 4 confirms Metrocon Incorporated, a concrete plant, was emitting excessive amounts of fugitive dust, which was traveling and collecting on a property across the street.
The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services found the plant, located in Gray Court, South Carolina, was "operating in violation of state and federal regulations and permit conditions for failing to comply with requirements outlined in the construction permit" after a site visit on July 2.
From the report:
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In the report, the facility confirmed a malfunction to a switchboard, damaging bin vent filters and causing excess emissions from a silo on-site.
The agency said they were not notified of the incident within the required 24 hours after the incident and did not receive a report within 30 days.
The agency said the facility did not submit a notification within 15 days of its initial startup, which was Nov. 30, 2025. Instead, according to the report, they submitted on July 13, 2026.
The request for inspection was filed by John Bonaguro, who lives across the street from the plant.
Bonaguro, a disabled veteran, purchased seven acres of property to start anew. He grew produce and kept goats and hens on site, often supplying the harvest to neighbors. Bonaguro said this was how he treated his PTSD.
Once he started noticing the dust on his property, he stopped farming and rehomed his animals.
"You could see dust permeating all over there. It just permeates. And then when the wind comes, all that does, where's it go? Over here. Coming over and engulfing everything," Bonaguro said. "They destroyed me here. Agriculturally. They destroyed my health. Not only my physical, but my mental health. This was my life here. This was my Zen. They destroyed my Zen."
WYFF News 4 reached out to the plant over email twice, then attempted to call the plant owners and managers directly for a statement. Those requests were not answered and no statement was offered.
SCDES requires all concrete plants to follow a Fugitive Dust Control Plan to mitigate the risk of spread and reduce the number of complaints.
The inspector recommended that the facility institute speed limits for truck traffic, begin water truck operation, keep loads of aggregate covered until trucks arrive at stockpiles, expand the sprinkler system to roadways of the plant and pave roadways to minimize fugitive particulate matter.
WYFF News 4 spotted water treatment on-site.
The Bureau of Air Quality Enforcement Section is reviewing the matter for any fines or penalties.