EPA proposes fine for API plant over waste allegations
In a 2009 inspection of Rhode Technologies’ plant the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) claims to have found violations that created “a serious potential risk to human health”.
“EPA alleges that Rhode Technologies [failed] to obtain required tank integrity assessments or provide secondary containment for seven of its hazardous waste tanks”, a statement by the US agency said.
Rhode Technologies failed to label pipes and other tank-related equipment as being in a hazardous waste space at the Rhode Island plant, the EPA alleges. The EPA also claims Rhode Technologies failed to perform required compliance inspections at its active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) site.
“These violations created a serious potential risk to human health and the environment in the event that any of the tanks accidently released hazardous wastes”, the EPA said. In response the EPA proposes a penalty of $251,439 (€182,255).
Failure to determine whether certain wastes were hazardous, have a complete emergency response plan, and segregate incompatible hazardous wastes is also alleged by the EPA.
Rhode responds
Rhode Technologies has hit back at the allegations. James Doyle, associate general counsel at Rhode Technologies, told the Providence Journal. “Today's announcement comes as a result of an audit conducted more than two years ago in September 2009.
“Since that time we have communicated with the agency numerous times to learn what concerns, if any, they may have. In that time, we received no response. Last Monday, they informed of us their action. None of the issues in this complaint involves any sort of incident or harm to the environment.”
Rhodes Technologies operates as subsidiary of Purdue Pharma and runs a manufacturing site in Coventry, Rhode Island. The site houses a pilot plant, micronisation suites and up to 2,000 gallon reactors.
