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EPA Files Complaint Against Maine Laboratory for Hazardous Waste Violations

Release Date: 04/03/2002
Contact Information: Andrew Spejewski, EPA Press Office, 617-918-1014

BOSTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today it has filed a complaint against Katahdin Analytical Services, Inc. of Westbrook, Maine for hazardous waste storage and handling violations.

"EPA had serious concerns with the improper storage of dangerous chemicals at this laboratory," said Robert W. Varney, regional administrator for EPA's New England Office. "No matter what business a company is in, it still needs to comply with regulations that ensure the safety of the public and employees."

Katahdin is an analytical laboratory employing about sixty people, including field staff, at its Westbrook facility. It generates hazardous waste through its laboratory operations and also disposes of samples from its customers.

EPA's complaint alleges that Katahdin improperly stored hazardous wastes without a permit – in some cases for over four years. EPA's inspection also revealed significant violations of other waste management regulations. These violations had a substantial potential to harm employees within the facility and, externally, to threaten human health and the environment.

In the complaint, EPA is requiring that Katahdin document compliance with all applicable regulations at their facility. Katahdin also faces penalties of up to $27,500 per day per violation.

EPA stated that it has no information causing it to question the accuracy of Katahdin's analytic testing results or "Quality Assurance/Quality Control" procedures.