Women's Health Provider Settles Hazwaste Violations
EPA Region 5 announced on Thursday that it has signed two separate consent agreements and final orders, which together are worth $131,600 in penalties, against companies for their alleged hazardous waste violations.
The first agreement was with Hologic Inc., a Bedford, Mass.-based women's health company that provides fabrication of molecular diagnostics through a synthesis process performed at its wholly owned Third Wave subsidiary in Madison, Wis. Hologic acquired Third Wave in July 2008. During a February 2007 inspection at the Madison facility, EPA found multiple violations of the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Specifically, the agency said it found that the company failed to obtain a hazardous waste storage license, train personnel and keep training records, maintain records, conduct and document daily inspection requirements for its hazardous waste tank system, and make service arrangements with state and local authorities. The company will pay an $87,400 penalty, EPA said.
The second agreement EPA announced was with Claire Manufacturing Co., a firm that makes aerosol packaged chemical products at its facility in Addison, Ill. EPA said that during a September 2008 inspection the agency likewise found multiple violations of the federal RCRA rules. Specifically, EPA found that the company failed to obtain a hazardous waste storage permit, update its emergency plan, train personnel, label containers, get assessments/certifications, maintain records, and meet inspection requirements for its tank systems. Per the agreement, the company will pay a $44,200 penalty.
EPA noted that it regulates hazardous waste from its production to final disposal under RCRA.