Search

EPA Enforcement Roundup: Week of 11/8

Posted on 11/8/2021 by Roseanne Bottone

Industrial facilities in the United States are subject to complex, overlapping environmental regulations concerning air emissions, discharges to water, hazardous waste management and disposal, oil spills, chemical management, and more. Failure to comply with all applicable US EPA requirements can result in future liability and civil penalties as high as $100,000+ per day, per violation (and growing every year).

The EPA enforcement actions highlighted below provide insight into how and why the Agency assesses civil penalties for environmental noncompliance. All violations mentioned are alleged unless we indicate otherwise.

We withhold the names of organizations and individuals subject to enforcement to protect their privacy.

WHO: A chemical manufacturer and a specialty food manufacturer
WHERE: Houlton and Searsport, ME
WHAT: Chemical risk management planning violations
HOW MUCH: Civil penalties of $305,000 and $240,919

Two separate Maine businesses face more than $500,000 in combined civil penalties for allegedly violating chemical risk management provisions of the Clean Air Act. Companies that use certain volumes of regulated chemicals must prepare and submit a Risk Management Plan (RMP) to comply with Section 112(r) of the Act.  

The chemical manufacturer uses anhydrous ammonia and aqueous ammonia in quantities requiring a Plan. They also use sulfuric acid, an extremely hazardous substance subject to the General Duty Clause (GDC) of section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act. EPA also expressed concerns about maintenance of tanks and pipes at the facility.

The specialty foods company handles and stores propylene oxide, sulfuric acid, compressed natural gas, acetic anhydride, hydrogen chloride, and propane. These chemicals are also subject to RMP and other GDC chemical safety requirements. The EPA cited the facility for four serious concerns regarding their use of the chemicals at the site.
 

WHO: A pesticide seller and distributor
WHERE: Lombard, IL
WHAT: FIFRA violations 
HOW MUCH: “Stop Sale” order

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a “Stop Sale” order to a limited liability corporation (LLC) ordering them to immediately cease selling and distributing an unregistered pesticide in violation of FIFRA.

The disinfection product in question lists two active pesticidal ingredients (silver and phenic acid) on the unregistered pesticide product’s label and a website. FIFRA requires the evaluation of pesticides through EPA’s registration process to ensure that the products perform as intended prior to their distribution or sale.
 

WHO: A steel manufacturer
WHERE: Canton, OH
WHAT: Clean Air Act Violations
HOW MUCH: TBD

US EPA issued a notice of violation to a steel manufacturer for excessive lead air emissions from the company’s facility. The company was cited for monthly average lead concentrations of 0.62 µg/m3 and 0.49 µg/m3 in May and July, respectively, with monitors recording over 2 µg/m3 on multiple days. 

The National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for lead and its compounds is 0.15 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3), averaged over a 3-month period. 

Lead is a toxic heavy metal that adversely affects the nervous system, kidney function, immune system, reproductive and developmental systems, and the cardiovascular system – especially in infants and young children. There are three schools within a mile of the plant.
 

Convenient, Effective Online EHS Manager Training

Managing site compliance with the many complex EPA programs that affect your business—from the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts to TSCA, EPCRA, CERLCA, and more—is a major challenge. If you’re new to the field or need an update on changing EPA rules, online training is a convenient way to quickly build in-depth expertise.

Check out the latest EPA compliance training options here:
 
Complete Environmental Regulations
Clean Air Act Regulations Online
TSCA Regulations Online
Clean Water Act & SDWA Regulations Online
Superfund and Right-to-Know Act Regulations Online 

Tags: environmental compliance, EPA Enforcement Roundup

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

The instructor took a rather drab set of topics and brought them to life with realistic real-life examples.

Tom Berndt

HSE Coordinator

The exercises in the DOT hazardous materials management course are especially helpful in evaluating your understanding of course information.

Morgan Bliss

Principal Industrial Hygienist

The training was impressive. I am not a fan of online training but this was put together very well. I would recommend Lion to others.

Donnie James

Quality Manager

The instructor was very knowledgeable and provided pertinent information above and beyond the questions that were asked.

Johnny Barton

Logistics Coordinator

I can take what I learned in this workshop and apply it to everyday work and relate it to my activities.

Shane Hersh

Materials Handler

I chose Lion's online webinar because it is simple, effective, and easily accessible.

Jeremy Bost

Environmental Health & Safety Technician

Excellent. I learned more in two days with Lion than at a 5-day program I took with another provider.

Francisco Gallardo

HES Technician

I was recently offered an opportunity to take my training through another company, but I politely declined. I only attend Lion Technology workshops.

Stephanie Gilliam

Material Production/Logistics Manager

Lion is easily and consistently the best option for compliance training. I've learned new information from every instructor I've had.

Rachel Mathis

EHS Specialist

This is a very informative training compared to others. It covers everything I expect to learn and even a lot of new things.

Quatama Jackson

Waste Management Professional

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Shipping papers are a crucial part of safely shipping hazardous materials. See the top 5 mistakes shippers make on shipping papers, and how to avoid them.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.