EPA Announces Final Cleanup Plan for Radio Materials Corp. Site in Attica, Indiana
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the final cleanup plan for the remaining groundwater and soil contamination at the former Radio Materials Corp. site at 1095 East Summit St., Attica, Indiana. The plan includes permeable reactive barriers to contain and treat contaminated materials.
EPA’s final decision document also includes a plan for long-term monitoring of the area and completing soil and groundwater testing as needed. Long-term maintenance will include the implementation of institutional controls for building use restrictions at the site, as well as legal mechanisms to restrict use of soil and groundwater.
Through soil and groundwater investigations at the property, EPA determined that chlorinated volatile organic compounds had been released into the soil and groundwater. This contamination had the potential to vaporize into the air and enter nearby homes, creating a vapor intrusion risk to residents in neighborhoods west of the facility. Since 2008, EPA has overseen implementation of short-term interim measures at and near the facility, including installation of a city drinking water treatment system, a hydraulic containment and treatment system for contaminated groundwater, and vapor intrusion mitigation systems in homes west of the facility. The hydraulic containment and treatment system was retired on October 31, 2022, following the construction of a permeable reactive barrier system, which is now incorporated into the final cleanup plan.
EPA’s final decision and response to comments details the final cleanup plan for the Radio Materials Corp. property. Before finalizing the cleanup plan, EPA held a 30-day public comment period. All comments received during that period are addressed in the final decision document.
Please visit the EPA RMC website for more information and to review the cleanup plan.
EPA’s final decision document also includes a plan for long-term monitoring of the area and completing soil and groundwater testing as needed. Long-term maintenance will include the implementation of institutional controls for building use restrictions at the site, as well as legal mechanisms to restrict use of soil and groundwater.
Through soil and groundwater investigations at the property, EPA determined that chlorinated volatile organic compounds had been released into the soil and groundwater. This contamination had the potential to vaporize into the air and enter nearby homes, creating a vapor intrusion risk to residents in neighborhoods west of the facility. Since 2008, EPA has overseen implementation of short-term interim measures at and near the facility, including installation of a city drinking water treatment system, a hydraulic containment and treatment system for contaminated groundwater, and vapor intrusion mitigation systems in homes west of the facility. The hydraulic containment and treatment system was retired on October 31, 2022, following the construction of a permeable reactive barrier system, which is now incorporated into the final cleanup plan.
EPA’s final decision and response to comments details the final cleanup plan for the Radio Materials Corp. property. Before finalizing the cleanup plan, EPA held a 30-day public comment period. All comments received during that period are addressed in the final decision document.
Please visit the EPA RMC website for more information and to review the cleanup plan.
EPA ensuring community's right to know through two Rhode Island settlements
BOSTON (Nov. 28, 2023) – Under recently proposed settlements with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, two Rhode Island companies will be required to pay penalties and comply with EPA's Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) reporting requirements under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) and the process hazard review (PHR) requirement of the General Duty Clause of the Clean Air Act at their respective facilities for their uses of anhydrous ammonia and metals. These settlements further protect communities, employees, first responders, and the environment from accidental hazardous exposure through raised awareness.
"The safety and wellbeing of New England communities is our top priority. EPA oversight practices are designed to protect and inform local stakeholders, making it important that companies are following and operating in line with environmental laws and regulations," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "This settlement, which will strengthen public safety, highlights accident prevention and the community's right to know about chemicals in their environment. We take these responsibilities seriously, especially to protect local populations that face disproportionate environmental risks in New England."
W.R. Cobb, a jewelry component manufacturer located in East Providence, Rhode Island, has agreed to pay a penalty of $108,900 for alleged violations of EPCRA TRI reporting requirements and the General Duty Clause of the Clean Air Act. The company, which uses anhydrous ammonia in its manufacturing processes, failed to file TRI reports for the facility's use of anhydrous ammonia during the calendar years 2018, 2019, and 2020. Additionally, W.R. Cobb failed to conduct a PHR for the facility's use of anhydrous ammonia as required by the General Duty Clause of the Clean Air Act. Though an efficient and effective refrigerant, anhydrous ammonia has toxic properties than can be corrosive to the skin, eyes and lungs when exposed. Further, nearly 10,000 people live within a one-mile radius of the facility. After EPA provided notice in August of 2021, the company filed all three missing TRI reports and completed a PHR.
Separately, EPA settled an action with Millard Wire, a Warwick, Rhode Island- based custom metal wire and metal strip manufacturing facility, for violations of EPCRA reporting requirements and the process hazard review requirement of the Clean Air Act. These violations stem from Millard Wire's storage and use of anhydrous ammonia and its processing of copper and nickel metals. The company was required to submit TRI forms for the facility's use and processing of ammonia, copper, and nickel at the facility. The company also failed to submit "Tier II" forms to the local emergency planning committee, the state emergency response commission, and the local fire department, as required under EPCRA. These requirements are important for transparency and for the safety of first responders. Additionally, the company failed to conduct a PHR, as required under the General Duty Clause of the Clean Air Act, for its use of anhydrous ammonia. Millard Wire corrected these violations based on EPA's notification, providing the required PHR, submitting Tier II forms, and filing its missing TRI forms for ammonia, copper, and nickel. Millard Wire agreed to pay a penalty of $170,261 and comply with EPCRA and the Clean Air Act.
Background
Under federal TRI regulations, companies that use certain listed chemicals must report their chemical releases each year to EPA. This information serves as the basis for the Toxic Release Inventory, which is a collection of data that can be readily reviewed by communities, government, and industry. With the information being publicly available, companies have an incentive to reduce harmful chemical use and improve their environmental performance. TRI reporting informs surrounding communities about a facility's toxic chemicals that could potentially harm public health and the environment and offers transparency.
EPCRA Tier II submissions are required to adequately inform local officials and responders of the presence of hazardous chemicals in the case of an emergency. This information is also available to the public, upon request, so that members of the public can be informed of the presence of hazardous chemicals in their communities.
The General Duty Clause of the Clean Air Act aims to prevent the accidental release of extremely hazardous chemicals and minimize the consequences of any such releases. Under this provision, owners and operators of facilities that store or use extremely hazardous chemicals have the duty, among others, to identify hazards that may result from a release and document this analysis in a PHR.
More information:
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act
Toxic Release Inventory
General Duty Clause
"The safety and wellbeing of New England communities is our top priority. EPA oversight practices are designed to protect and inform local stakeholders, making it important that companies are following and operating in line with environmental laws and regulations," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "This settlement, which will strengthen public safety, highlights accident prevention and the community's right to know about chemicals in their environment. We take these responsibilities seriously, especially to protect local populations that face disproportionate environmental risks in New England."
W.R. Cobb, a jewelry component manufacturer located in East Providence, Rhode Island, has agreed to pay a penalty of $108,900 for alleged violations of EPCRA TRI reporting requirements and the General Duty Clause of the Clean Air Act. The company, which uses anhydrous ammonia in its manufacturing processes, failed to file TRI reports for the facility's use of anhydrous ammonia during the calendar years 2018, 2019, and 2020. Additionally, W.R. Cobb failed to conduct a PHR for the facility's use of anhydrous ammonia as required by the General Duty Clause of the Clean Air Act. Though an efficient and effective refrigerant, anhydrous ammonia has toxic properties than can be corrosive to the skin, eyes and lungs when exposed. Further, nearly 10,000 people live within a one-mile radius of the facility. After EPA provided notice in August of 2021, the company filed all three missing TRI reports and completed a PHR.
Separately, EPA settled an action with Millard Wire, a Warwick, Rhode Island- based custom metal wire and metal strip manufacturing facility, for violations of EPCRA reporting requirements and the process hazard review requirement of the Clean Air Act. These violations stem from Millard Wire's storage and use of anhydrous ammonia and its processing of copper and nickel metals. The company was required to submit TRI forms for the facility's use and processing of ammonia, copper, and nickel at the facility. The company also failed to submit "Tier II" forms to the local emergency planning committee, the state emergency response commission, and the local fire department, as required under EPCRA. These requirements are important for transparency and for the safety of first responders. Additionally, the company failed to conduct a PHR, as required under the General Duty Clause of the Clean Air Act, for its use of anhydrous ammonia. Millard Wire corrected these violations based on EPA's notification, providing the required PHR, submitting Tier II forms, and filing its missing TRI forms for ammonia, copper, and nickel. Millard Wire agreed to pay a penalty of $170,261 and comply with EPCRA and the Clean Air Act.
Background
Under federal TRI regulations, companies that use certain listed chemicals must report their chemical releases each year to EPA. This information serves as the basis for the Toxic Release Inventory, which is a collection of data that can be readily reviewed by communities, government, and industry. With the information being publicly available, companies have an incentive to reduce harmful chemical use and improve their environmental performance. TRI reporting informs surrounding communities about a facility's toxic chemicals that could potentially harm public health and the environment and offers transparency.
EPCRA Tier II submissions are required to adequately inform local officials and responders of the presence of hazardous chemicals in the case of an emergency. This information is also available to the public, upon request, so that members of the public can be informed of the presence of hazardous chemicals in their communities.
The General Duty Clause of the Clean Air Act aims to prevent the accidental release of extremely hazardous chemicals and minimize the consequences of any such releases. Under this provision, owners and operators of facilities that store or use extremely hazardous chemicals have the duty, among others, to identify hazards that may result from a release and document this analysis in a PHR.
More information:
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act
Toxic Release Inventory
General Duty Clause
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Biden-Harris Administration Partners with Ag Producers to Strengthen Agricultural Supply Chains and Lower Food Costs
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National Ice Cream Manufacturer Agrees to Pay Penalty for Clean Air Act Violations and Audit the Safety of Six Facilities Nationwide
BOSTON (Nov. 27, 2023) – HP Hood LLC, a national ice cream manufacturer, agreed to pay a penalty of $115,849 to settle claims by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that it violated federal laws regulating the handling and storage of ammonia at its facility in Suffield, Conn. As part of the settlement, the company has also agreed to complete system safety audits of its six facilities nationwide that have requirements under the risk management program (RMP) regulation.
"When a company falls short in meeting its safety obligations, it puts workers, local communities, and the environment at risk. With the company operating facilities across the country, we have a duty to call out a lack of accountability when we see it," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "Ensuring safety and management practices of hazardous substances is key. We are dedicated to our core mission of protecting all communities, specifically focusing on mitigating environmental pollution and minimizing risks. This case serves as a reminder to companies that accountability and compliance is important. Chemical accident planning, prevention, and mitigation requirements, are all steps we make certain of, in order to keep New England safe."
An EPA inspection of HP Hood LLC facilities in Suffield, Conn revealed that HP Hood failed to document that its ammonia refrigeration equipment complied with recognized and generally applicable good engineering practices in violation of the Clean Air Act. This included issues like missing ammonia alarms, inadequate labeling of critical equipment, and failure to adhere to engineering best practices in equipment installation.
In addition, HP Hood failed to comply with the mechanical integrity requirements of the Clean Air Act's chemical accident prevention regulations by allegedly failing to sufficiently conduct piping inspections. Instances of damaged pipe insulation with potential safety risks and a minor anhydrous ammonia leak from a valve were documented. These findings highlighted the need for improved safety measures and adherence to industry standards at this facility, and at the other five HP Hood LLC facilities with risk management plan (RMP) requirements nationwide. As result, EPA negotiated with HP Hood LLC to pay a penalty, as well as create a schedule for conducting system safety audits at its six RMP facilities nationwide.
The penalty also includes a separate EPA assessment regarding a recent ammonia release from this company, caused by a forklift impact. Impacts to equipment have caused several accidents at facilities owned by other companies located in New England. As a result of EPA's action, HP Hood LLC has brought its facility in Suffield, Conn., into compliance to correct the conditions found during the inspection. In addition, the company must take steps to protect pipes in the machinery room from future forklift impacts.
Background
Anhydrous ammonia is an efficient refrigerant with low global warming potential, but it must be handled with care because it is highly corrosive to the skin, eyes, and lungs. Exposure to 300 parts per million is immediately dangerous to life and health. Ammonia is also flammable at certain concentrations and can explode if it is released in an enclosed space with a source of ignition present, or if a vessel containing anhydrous ammonia is exposed to fire.
The Clean Air Act Risk Management Program (RMP) Rule regulations require facilities that use regulated toxic and/or flammable substances to develop a risk management plan that identifies the potential effects of a chemical accident, identifies steps a facility is taking to prevent an accident, and spells out emergency response procedures should an accident occur. These plans provide valuable information to local fire, police, and emergency response personnel to prepare for, and respond to, chemical emergencies in their community.
EPA has found that many regulated facilities are not adequately managing the risks that they pose or ensuring the safety of their facilities in a way that is sufficient to protect surrounding communities. Approximately 150 catastrophic accidents occur per year at regulated facilities. These accidents result in fatalities, injuries, significant property damage, evacuations, sheltering in place, or environmental damage. Many more accidents with lesser effects also occur, demonstrating a clear risk posed by these facilities. Reducing risks from accidental releases of hazardous substances at industrial and chemical facilities is a top priority for EPA, which identified this goal as one of its National Enforcement Compliance Initiatives.
More information:
Risk Management Plan Fact Sheet
Risk Management Program Rule
EPA information on Compliance Assistance Tools and Resources for the Ammonia Refrigeration Sector (pdf) (161 KB)
Enforcement Alert for Ammonia Refrigeration Facilities
"When a company falls short in meeting its safety obligations, it puts workers, local communities, and the environment at risk. With the company operating facilities across the country, we have a duty to call out a lack of accountability when we see it," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "Ensuring safety and management practices of hazardous substances is key. We are dedicated to our core mission of protecting all communities, specifically focusing on mitigating environmental pollution and minimizing risks. This case serves as a reminder to companies that accountability and compliance is important. Chemical accident planning, prevention, and mitigation requirements, are all steps we make certain of, in order to keep New England safe."
An EPA inspection of HP Hood LLC facilities in Suffield, Conn revealed that HP Hood failed to document that its ammonia refrigeration equipment complied with recognized and generally applicable good engineering practices in violation of the Clean Air Act. This included issues like missing ammonia alarms, inadequate labeling of critical equipment, and failure to adhere to engineering best practices in equipment installation.
In addition, HP Hood failed to comply with the mechanical integrity requirements of the Clean Air Act's chemical accident prevention regulations by allegedly failing to sufficiently conduct piping inspections. Instances of damaged pipe insulation with potential safety risks and a minor anhydrous ammonia leak from a valve were documented. These findings highlighted the need for improved safety measures and adherence to industry standards at this facility, and at the other five HP Hood LLC facilities with risk management plan (RMP) requirements nationwide. As result, EPA negotiated with HP Hood LLC to pay a penalty, as well as create a schedule for conducting system safety audits at its six RMP facilities nationwide.
The penalty also includes a separate EPA assessment regarding a recent ammonia release from this company, caused by a forklift impact. Impacts to equipment have caused several accidents at facilities owned by other companies located in New England. As a result of EPA's action, HP Hood LLC has brought its facility in Suffield, Conn., into compliance to correct the conditions found during the inspection. In addition, the company must take steps to protect pipes in the machinery room from future forklift impacts.
Background
Anhydrous ammonia is an efficient refrigerant with low global warming potential, but it must be handled with care because it is highly corrosive to the skin, eyes, and lungs. Exposure to 300 parts per million is immediately dangerous to life and health. Ammonia is also flammable at certain concentrations and can explode if it is released in an enclosed space with a source of ignition present, or if a vessel containing anhydrous ammonia is exposed to fire.
The Clean Air Act Risk Management Program (RMP) Rule regulations require facilities that use regulated toxic and/or flammable substances to develop a risk management plan that identifies the potential effects of a chemical accident, identifies steps a facility is taking to prevent an accident, and spells out emergency response procedures should an accident occur. These plans provide valuable information to local fire, police, and emergency response personnel to prepare for, and respond to, chemical emergencies in their community.
EPA has found that many regulated facilities are not adequately managing the risks that they pose or ensuring the safety of their facilities in a way that is sufficient to protect surrounding communities. Approximately 150 catastrophic accidents occur per year at regulated facilities. These accidents result in fatalities, injuries, significant property damage, evacuations, sheltering in place, or environmental damage. Many more accidents with lesser effects also occur, demonstrating a clear risk posed by these facilities. Reducing risks from accidental releases of hazardous substances at industrial and chemical facilities is a top priority for EPA, which identified this goal as one of its National Enforcement Compliance Initiatives.
More information:
Risk Management Plan Fact Sheet
Risk Management Program Rule
EPA information on Compliance Assistance Tools and Resources for the Ammonia Refrigeration Sector (pdf) (161 KB)
Enforcement Alert for Ammonia Refrigeration Facilities
EPA Begins to Demolish Manufacturing Facility at the Allen Street Development Site in Jamestown, New York
NEW YORK (November 27, 2023) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that it has started to demolish the former Crawford Furniture manufacturing facility at the Allen Street Development site in Jamestown, New York. The manufacturing facility was destroyed by a fire in November 2022. EPA will demolish what remains of the structures and remove asbestos-containing debris from the site.
"For over a year, the EPA has been working closely with the City of Jamestown to address the serious environmental and public health risks at 1061 Allen Street," said Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. "EPA will continue to take action to safely demolish and remove the asbestos-laden debris that remains on the site. Once the site is cleaned up and safe, EPA will support efforts by Jamestown to redevelop the site for the benefit of the community."
“The old Crawford Furniture Factory was once a beating heart for Jamestown’s economy, but for too long, this crumbling building sat as an eyesore, and as last year’s fire showed, its continued presence would only put our public health and environment at risk. That is why I personally came to Jamestown to push the EPA to demolish this dangerous site, and why I am proud to announce that cleanup begins today for Jamestown” said Senator Chuck Schumer, Majority Leader of the United States Senate. “This federal cleanup is a win-win-win: knocking down the crumbling walls which were devastated by the fire, removing toxic contaminants like asbestos from our community, all while taking the burden off our local taxpayers in Jamestown. The EPA has been a tremendous partner and I thank them for their dedicated work to knock down this deteriorating building so that it can be transformed into a place of new opportunity. It is critical to return these marred sites of the past into productive workplaces that will shape the economic future, and I will continue to fight to deliver the resources needed to breathe new life into Jamestown’s manufacturing legacy for the next generation.”
The Allen Street Development site was once a furniture manufacturing facility that went bankrupt in March 2012. Allen Street Development, LLC bought the property and used part of it to store airplane parts and other items for potential resale. The company also leased some of the space to other tenants over the years. However, the facility was not well maintained, and some areas had begun to collapse before the fire in 2022. EPA became involved with the site in June 2021 after receiving a request from the City of Jamestown to assess the deteriorating facility for the presence of hazardous substances.
During the demolition activities, expected to begin this week, EPA will evaluate and properly dispose of hazardous substances and have them shipped to regulated landfill and disposal facilities. EPA will monitor the air quality at the site and surrounding neighborhood during demolition to ensure that the public and workers are safe during all demolition activities.
Visit the Allen Street Development site response page for additional background and future updates.
Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter now known as X and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.
"For over a year, the EPA has been working closely with the City of Jamestown to address the serious environmental and public health risks at 1061 Allen Street," said Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. "EPA will continue to take action to safely demolish and remove the asbestos-laden debris that remains on the site. Once the site is cleaned up and safe, EPA will support efforts by Jamestown to redevelop the site for the benefit of the community."
“The old Crawford Furniture Factory was once a beating heart for Jamestown’s economy, but for too long, this crumbling building sat as an eyesore, and as last year’s fire showed, its continued presence would only put our public health and environment at risk. That is why I personally came to Jamestown to push the EPA to demolish this dangerous site, and why I am proud to announce that cleanup begins today for Jamestown” said Senator Chuck Schumer, Majority Leader of the United States Senate. “This federal cleanup is a win-win-win: knocking down the crumbling walls which were devastated by the fire, removing toxic contaminants like asbestos from our community, all while taking the burden off our local taxpayers in Jamestown. The EPA has been a tremendous partner and I thank them for their dedicated work to knock down this deteriorating building so that it can be transformed into a place of new opportunity. It is critical to return these marred sites of the past into productive workplaces that will shape the economic future, and I will continue to fight to deliver the resources needed to breathe new life into Jamestown’s manufacturing legacy for the next generation.”
The Allen Street Development site was once a furniture manufacturing facility that went bankrupt in March 2012. Allen Street Development, LLC bought the property and used part of it to store airplane parts and other items for potential resale. The company also leased some of the space to other tenants over the years. However, the facility was not well maintained, and some areas had begun to collapse before the fire in 2022. EPA became involved with the site in June 2021 after receiving a request from the City of Jamestown to assess the deteriorating facility for the presence of hazardous substances.
During the demolition activities, expected to begin this week, EPA will evaluate and properly dispose of hazardous substances and have them shipped to regulated landfill and disposal facilities. EPA will monitor the air quality at the site and surrounding neighborhood during demolition to ensure that the public and workers are safe during all demolition activities.
Visit the Allen Street Development site response page for additional background and future updates.
Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter now known as X and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.
Virginia’s resins export market gets boost with new $60 million investment
The Norfolk expansion plans from resin logistics specialist Katoen Natie come as more plastics production is going onstream in the Northeast US.