OLD TOWN (AP) – The Maine Department of Environmental Protection says lead exceeding a state standard has been found in ash coming from the Red Shield Environmental boiler.

Ed Logue, DEP regional manager, says Red Shield will have to burn only wood chips instead of a mix of wood chips and demolition materials until the problem is sorted out.

Red Shield is permitted to burn up to 500 tons of fuel a day in the boiler to produce electricity to run the mill and for the regional power grid.

Earlier this year, Red Shield had problems with high levels of lead being found in ash samples taken from the boiler, but there were no additional problems until testing a week ago. The concern is that lead could leach from landfills where the ash is disposed of.