EPA New England Press Releases

EPA CITES NASHUA MANUFACTURER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS

Alice Kaufman, EPA-New England Press Office, (617) 918-1064

For Immediate Release: October 8, 1996; Release # 96-10-11

BOSTON - Worthen Industries, Inc. of Nashua, New Hampshire faces a $111,675 environmental penalty for violations of federal hazardous waste management laws, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's New England regional office announced today. Worthen, located at 3 East Spit Brook Road in Nashua, manufactures adhesives for use in food wrap, footwear, automotive, and other industrial applications, and generates wastes that are considered hazardous under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).

"Environmental laws are a community's safeguard that toxic chemicals are managed safely. When a company fails to follow rules for good management, it amounts to a breech of confidence with the public and community," said John P. DeVillars, administrator for EPA's New England office.

EPA cited the company for numerous violations. According to EPA, Worthen failed to:

• properly date and mark containers of hazardous waste;

• keep containers of hazardous waste closed and sealed, except to add or remove waste;

• inspect (at least weekly) areas where containers of hazardous waste are stored;

• maintain adequate personnel training records for employees involved in hazardous waste management;

• have an adequate contingency plan for handling accidents at the facility;

• maintain adequate aisle space between containers of hazardous waste in storage;

• make proper determinations and correctly label hazardous wastes so that wastes that are restricted from land disposal as properly handled.

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act governs the proper management of hazardous wastes and requires cradle-to-grave management of all these wastes. Under the law, federal facilities must comply with strict standards for managing wastes on site. EPA's concern is that improper management of wastes can pose a risk to public health or the environment through accidental spills or other releases.

 

METADATA

1. TITLE: EPA Cites Nashua Manufacturer for Environmental Problems

2. IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: N/A

3. ABSTRACT: The U.S. EPA's New England regional office has announced that Worthen Industries, Inc. of Nashua, NH faces a $111,675 environmental penalty for violations of federal hazardous waste management laws.

4. PURPOSE: Public Information

5. ORIGINATOR: Regional Administrator's Office

6. PUBLICATION DATE: 10/16/96

7. ACCESS CONSTRAINTS: N/A

8. AVAILABILITY: N/A
   a. Distributor:
   b. Order Process:
   c. Technical Prerequisites:
   d. Automated Linkage:
   e. Downloadable Files:

9. COVERAGE: N/A

10. 10. TIME PERIOD OF COVERAGE: N/A

11. POINT OF CONTACT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
    Alice Kaufman
    EPA Region 1, New England
    JFK Kennedy Building (RAA)
    Boston, MA 02203
    617-918-1064

12. RESPONSIBLE PARTY:
    Doug Gutro
    Office of the Regional Administrator

13. DATE OF CREATION: 10/16/96

14. AGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: N/A

15. EXPIRATION DATE: 11/11/96