The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reached a settlement with the Sherwin-Williams Company, operating as Engineered Polymer Solutions, over alleged violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) at its Commerce, California facility. The company will pay a civil penalty of $306,436 and take steps to comply with regulations.
The EPA found that the facility failed to properly identify hazardous waste, including chemicals such as xylene, toluene, and butanol. Amy Miller, Director of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance for the EPA Pacific Southwest Region, said: "The improper disposal of hazardous waste poses a clear risk to human health and the environment." She emphasized that the EPA is committed to holding companies accountable for managing dangerous waste properly.
Additionally, the facility did not meet air emission standards for equipment and storage tanks or maintain proper containment systems. It also neglected required daily inspections and failed to determine if certain wastes needed treatment before disposal.
Under the settlement terms, Sherwin-Williams must submit documentation showing whether specific wastes are classified as RCRA hazardous or non-RCRA hazardous. They must also demonstrate compliance with air emissions standards for certain equipment and tanks.
The RCRA was enacted in 1976 to ensure safe management of hazardous waste. The EPA's regulations aim to protect humans and the environment from exposure to pollutants in such waste. More information about the EPA’s enforcement program can be found on their website.
Information from this article can be found here.
