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EPA and Dow Chemical Reach Fine Agreement

Jan. 17, 2000

Dow will pay a penalty of $82,834 and perform environmental projects worth $48,446 for failing to timely report hazardous chemical releases.

EHS Today Staff

EPA Region 5 recently reached an agreement with the Dow Chemical Co., resolving an administrative complaint alleging that Dow failed to timely report releases of hazardous chemical substances from Dow's Midland, Mich. facility.

Under the settlement terms, Dow will pay a civil penalty of $82,834 and perform environmental projects estimated at $48,446.

EPA is charging that on four separate occasions, between November 1997 and May 1999, Dow failed to notify authorities quickly enough about the accidental releases of methyl chloride, vinyl chloride, and ethylene oxide from the Midland facility.

Dow denied any wrongdoing, but cooperated with EPA by providing information and taking steps to ensure that authorities are notified promptly about any such releases in the future.

In addition to the monetary fine, Dow agreed to perform two environmental projects to benefit the local community.

The company will provide the Midland County Local Emergency Planning Committee with a mobile generator and emergency lighting, two laptop computers and two printers.

Dow will also provide air-monitoring equipment and training to the Midland Township Fire Department and the City of Midland Fire Department.

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

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 IndustryWeek, EHS Today, Material Handling & Logistics, Logistics 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.