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EPA Orders Pyrotechnic Specialties Incorporated of Byron, GA to Correct Problems at Facility

Release Date: 09/09/2009
Contact Information: Laura Niles, (404) 562-8353, niles.laura@epa.gov

(Atlanta, Ga. – September 9, 2009) Pyrotechnic Specialties Incorporated (PSI) of Byron, Ga. has been issued an EPA Order today that requires expedited corrective measures be taken at the facility to ensure protection of public health and the environment in the surrounding community. EPA issued the Order under Section 7003 of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), which states that an imminent and substantial endangerment to public health and the environment exists at the facility.

PSI generates reactive and explosive hazardous waste from the manufacturing of pyrotechnic devices used by military and law enforcement. EPA’s RCRA program conducted inspections of PSI on April 27-28, and May 14, 2009. Hundreds of containers of explosive and reactive hazardous waste that were being improperly stored in various sea-land containers were discovered on-site.

Due to the improper storage, inadequate personnel training, absence of prevention and preparedness equipment, leaking and corroded containers, and the company’s history of accidents, such as explosions and fires, EPA believes that an imminent and substantial endangerment to health and the environment exists at the facility. In the 7003 Order, EPA will require PSI to properly inventory, containerize, label and store the hazardous waste. In addition, EPA will require the removal of hazardous waste from the facility to a permitted RCRA treatment, storage or disposal facility.