Warwick Chemical Company, operating as Mann Distribution, LLC, has pleaded guilty to violating the Clean Air Act by failing to develop and implement a Risk Management Plan to minimize the chance of release of hydrofluoric acid from its Warwick facility.
The company, which stored 92 drums of hydrofluoric acid weighing a total of 46,000 pounds, also failed to protect workers, the community, and emergency responders in the event of a chemical release or fire.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), facilities storing more than 1,000 pounds of hydrofluoric acid are required to develop and implement a Risk Management Plan. An EPA inspection in June 2009 determined that Mann Chemical failed to comply with this regulation.
Hydrofluoric acid, also known as hydrogen fluoride, is a chemical compound that can cause skin burns, tissue damage, and respiratory concerns. The company’s failure to develop a Risk Management Plan put the lives of its workers and the surrounding community at risk.
As part of its plea agreement, Mann Distribution, LLC has been ordered to pay a fine of $200,000 and serve a term of 3 years probation. The company is also required to issue a public apology.
The case was investigated by the U.S. EPA Criminal Investigation Division with the assistance of the REFP Unit of the Office of Environmental Stewardship with EPA’s Region 1 office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Terrence P. Donnelly and Special Assistant United States Attorney Peter Kenyon of the Environmental Protection Agency.
U.S. District Court Judge Mary M. Lisi imposed the sentence, stating that the EPA’s Risk Management Program has a clear purpose – to prevent and prepare for releases of toxic and flammable substances that have the potential for catastrophic consequences.
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Key Facts
- State: Rhode Island
- Category: Environmental Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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