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EPA reaches agreement with Arkema on clean-air violations

Release Date: 03/24/2009
Contact Information: William Omohundro, 312-353-8254, omohundro.william@epa.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 09-OPA025

CHICAGO (March 24, 2009) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has reached an agreement with Arkema Inc. on alleged clean-air violations at the company's chemical plant at 17168 W. Jefferson Ave., Riverview, Mich.

The agreement, which includes a $170,000 penalty, resolves EPA allegations that Arkema violated federal leak detection and repair regulations at its facility. The alleged violations were discovered during an EPA inspection.

Leak detection and repair regulations require regular monitoring of connectors, valves and pumps. If leaks are found, they must be repaired promptly. If left undetected and unrepaired, even minor leaks could result in substantial emissions of hazardous air pollutants that might adversely affect public health and the environment.

Hazardous air pollutants may cause serious health effects including birth defects and cancer. They may also cause harmful environmental and ecological effects.

Information about EPA Region 5's air enforcement program is at https://www.epa.gov/region5/air/enforce/index.html. Potential environmental violations may be reported at https://www.epa.gov/compliance/complaints.