EPA Settlement with Connecticut Chemical Manufacturer Improves Hazardous Waste Storage and Handling
WEST HAVEN, CONN. (Nov. 17, 2021) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently finalized a settlement with MacDermid Enthone Inc. (MacDermid), a chemical manufacturer, to resolve alleged violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) at the company's facility in West Haven, Conn.
"It's important that companies that generate hazardous wastes during their manufacturing operations follow federal and state regulations in order to reduce potential risks to human health and the environment," said EPA New England Acting Regional Administrator Deborah Szaro. "Because of EPA's action, this facility has substantially improved its hazardous waste storage and handling practices."
MacDermid's West Haven facility specializes in producing plating chemicals for the semiconductor industry. The production processes generate various liquid hazardous wastes. EPA performed an inspection of the facility and found several RCRA regulatory violations, including the failure to determine if some of its waste chemicals were hazardous, the failure to properly label hazardous waste containers and a hazardous waste tank, and the failure to provide adequate aisle space in the facility's hazardous waste storage area for employees and emergency personnel.
Under the settlement, MacDermid agreed to pay a penalty of $86,769 for alleged violations of RCRA regulations at its chemical manufacturing facility. The company has certified that it corrected its violations and will maintain compliance with federal and state hazardous waste laws.
As a result of EPA's enforcement action, MacDermid corrected its RCRA violations and established new compliance procedures, including new procedures to ensure that the facility's hazardous wastes are properly identified and handled. MacDermid also permanently closed and removed a 500-gallon underground hazardous waste storage tank from the facility. The company was cooperative during EPA's enforcement investigation and the case settlement negotiations.
More information:
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act: https://www.epa.gov/rcra
RCRA Hazardous Waste Regulations: https://www.epa.gov/rcra/resource-conservation-and-recovery-act-rcra-regulations#haz