Cincinnati, OH – Lancaster Synthesis, Inc., a former chemical manufacturer, was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay $250,000 in restitution following a fatal incident stemming from improperly handled hazardous waste. The case, brought by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), revealed a pattern of negligence and deliberate misrepresentation that led to the death of a Clean Harbors employee in Cincinnati.
The investigation uncovered that after closing its Blythewood, South Carolina facility in 1993, Lancaster shipped a drum containing a highly explosive sodium azide compound to Clean Harbors, a hazardous waste management company. Crucially, the drum was shipped *without* a required hazardous waste manifest – a document detailing the contents and ensuring safe transport. Further compounding the issue, Lancaster falsified the accompanying bill of lading, falsely claiming the drum did not contain any regulated hazardous materials.
The Fatal Explosion
During routine handling at the Clean Harbors facility, the improperly labeled and undocumented drum exploded. The employee responsible for transporting the drum suffered critical injuries and tragically died the following day. The victim, a married father of two, was performing his job duties when exposed to the preventable hazard created by Lancaster’s actions. The EPA’s criminal investigation swiftly focused on the circumstances surrounding the shipment and the deliberate concealment of the drum’s true contents.
Guilty Plea and Sentencing
On September 30, 2000, Lancaster Synthesis was formally charged with one count of violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), specifically 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(5) – which prohibits the knowing transport of hazardous waste without a proper manifest. The company was also charged with making false statements, a violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001. Lancaster ultimately pled guilty to the RCRA charge. On July 6, 2000, the court imposed a sentence of 60 months probation, a $400 special assessment fee, and the significant $250,000 restitution order payable to the victim’s family.
A Pattern of Neglect?
While the restitution offers some measure of relief to the victim’s family, the case highlights the severe consequences of failing to adhere to hazardous waste regulations. Sources close to the investigation suggest that Lancaster’s actions weren’t merely an oversight, but a calculated attempt to avoid the costs and complexities associated with proper hazardous waste disposal. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by improperly managed chemicals and the vital role of regulatory oversight in protecting both workers and the public.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Lancaster Synthesis, Inc.
- Location: Blythewood, SC (waste originated), Cincinnati, OH (incident)
- Victim: Clean Harbors employee, married with two children
- Laws Violated: 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(5) (RCRA – transporting hazardous waste without a manifest), 18 U.S.C. 1001 (False Statements)
- Penalties: 60 months probation, $400 special assessment, $250,000 restitution
- Hazardous Material: Sodium Azide (highly explosive)
GrimyTimes will continue to follow developments in environmental crime and hold accountable those who prioritize profit over safety.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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