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Phoenix Color Corp. Settles Hazardous Waste Violations at Hagerstown Facility

Release Date: 01/13/2014
Contact Information: Donna Heron 215-814-5113 / heron.donna@epa.gov

PHILADELPHIA ( Jan. 13, 2014) -- Phoenix Color Corp. has agreed to pay a $45,000 penalty to settle alleged violations of hazardous waste regulations at its facility on Phoenix Drive in Hagerstown, Md., the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today.

EPA cited Phoenix Color for violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the federal law governing the treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste. RCRA is designed to protect public health and the environment, and avoid costly cleanups, by requiring the safe, environmentally sound storage and disposal of hazardous waste.

Following a November 12, 2012 inspection, EPA cited the company for RCRA violations involving hazardous waste stored at the facility, including spent non-halogenated solvents, corrosives and mercury-containing fluorescent bulbs.

The alleged violations included : 1) operating a hazardous waste storage facility without a RCRA permit or interim storage status; 2) failure to make a hazardous waste determination; 3) failure to keep hazardous waste containers closed; 4) failure to inspect containers in a 90-day storage area; 5) failure to provide annual hazardous waste management training; 6) failure to maintain hazardous waste management job descriptions; and 7) failure to prepare and implement a complete hazardous waste emergency plan.

The settlement penalty reflects the company's compliance efforts, and its cooperation with EPA in the resolution of this matter. As part of the settlement, Phoenix Color has neither admitted nor denied liability for the alleged violations, but has certified its compliance with applicable RCRA requirements.

For more information about hazardous waste and RCRA, visit https://www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/index.htm