EPA Cites Honeywell for Chemical Release Reporting Violations

May 24, 2002
EPA's Region 5 cites Honeywell International for violation of federal laws on the reporting of hazardous chemical releases and proposes a $144,469 fine.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 filed an administrative complaint against Honeywell International for violation of federal laws on the reporting of hazardous chemical releases and proposed a $144,469 fine.

The complaint is based on two separate incidents. On Feb. 5, 1998, at about 10:30 p.m., a fire broke out at Honeywell''s tar plant on Zug Road in Detroit that released 7,000 to 8,000 gallons of coal tar. Coal tar contains the hazardous chemicals benzo(a)pyrene and dibenz(a,h)anthracene, which, when heated, can volatilize into clouds.

Both benzo(a)pyrene and dibenz(a,h)anthracene are suspected carcinogens. Prolonged exposure to coal tar fumes, vapors or dust can cause irritation or burning to the eyes or respiratory tract. Ingestion of coal tar may cause irritation to the gastrointestinal tract, nausea and vomiting.

Federal laws require immediate notification to the National Response Center, the state emergency response commission and the local emergency planning committee - in this case, the Detroit Fire Department. The facility notified the NRC and the state emergency response commission about 9:00 a.m. the following morning. In addition, required written follow-up reports to the state emergency response commission and the local emergency planning committee were also filed late, seven days after the incident.

The second incident, also involving a fire and the release of about 4,500 pounds of coal tar, occurred on Dec. 17, 1999, at about 5:50 p.m. The NRC and state emergency response commission were notified at least two hours late. Written follow-up reports to the state emergency response commission and the local emergency planning committee were also filed late, some 35 days after the incident.

by Sandy Smith ([email protected])

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Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor:  Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.

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