EPA Fines Altoona, Iowa, Company for Alleged Chemical Risk Prevention Violations | US EPA
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LENEXA, KAN. (NOV. 13, 2023) – Lineage Logistics LLC, the largest cold storage company in the U.S., has agreed to pay a $172,591 civil penalty to resolve alleged violations of the federal Clean Air Act’s chemical risk prevention provisions at its facility in Altoona, Iowa.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the facility uses over 10,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia, a regulated toxic substance, and failed to comply with regulations intended to protect the surrounding community from accidental releases.
EPA says the company failed to correctly document the worst-case scenario in its risk analysis, failed to comply with accidental release prevention requirements, and failed to document emergency response coordination with local authorities.
Anhydrous ammonia presents a significant health hazard because it is corrosive to the skin, eyes, and lungs. High levels of exposure may lead to choking and death. Fires or explosions may result if anhydrous ammonia is ignited.
“Compliance with chemical risk prevention regulations saves lives,” said David Cozad, director of EPA Region 7’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division. “It is critical that companies that handle dangerous chemicals comply with the safety requirements of the Clean Air Act.”
EPA says that Lineage Logistics has taken the necessary steps to return the facility to compliance.
Background
The Clean Air Act’s Risk Management Plan Rule regulations require facilities that use regulated toxic and/or flammable substances to develop a Risk Management Plan (RMP) that identifies the potential effects of a chemical accident, identifies steps a facility is taking to prevent an accident, and spells out emergency response procedures should an accident occur. These plans provide valuable information to local fire, police, and emergency response personnel to prepare for and respond to chemical emergencies in their community.
EPA has found that many regulated facilities are not adequately managing the risks they pose or ensuring the safety of their facilities in a way that is sufficient to protect surrounding communities. Approximately 150 catastrophic accidents occur per year at regulated facilities. These accidents result in fatalities, injuries, significant property damage, evacuations, sheltering in place, or environmental damage. Many more accidents with lesser effects also occur, demonstrating a clear risk posed by these facilities. Reducing risks from accidental releases of hazardous substances at industrial and chemical facilities is a top priority for EPA.
EPA identified Reducing Risks of Accidental Releases at Industrial and Chemical Facilities as a National Enforcement and Compliance Initiative for fiscal years 2024-2027.
- Learn more about EPA’s National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives.
- Learn more about EPA’s Risk Management Plan Rule.
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