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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Nov. 18, 1998
98-198
Contact: Sandy Howard, public information manager, (360) 407-6239
Dave Saunders, hazardous-waste specialist, (360) 407-6348
OLYMPIA - A facility located near the Tacoma tideflats that stores and treats dangerous wastes has been fined $25,000 and ordered to correct the way it handles hazardous materials.
The action was taken by the state Department of Ecology (Ecology) against Philip Services Corp., which is doing business as Burlington Environmental, Inc. at 1701 Alexander Ave., in Tacoma.
Ecology found the company failed to properly notify local, state and federal agencies of a significant release from a dangerous-waste treatment tank on June 26. The release allowed a toxic cloud to spread over several blocks in the Tacoma tideflats.
The cause was a chemical reaction that occurred while transferring waste acid to a treatment tank. The area was evacuated by the Tacoma Fire Department.
Ecology also cited Philip Services for failing to maintain and repair secondary containment for a dangerous-waste tank system; failing to properly train employees; and failing to maintain site security.
Ecology's action follows an Oct. 28 fine against Philip Services by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for failing to report the same toxic release in a timely manner.
"This is one of the state's major waste handlers. Its poor housekeeping represents a significant environmental threat to people, nearby businesses and Commencement Bay," said K Seiler, who oversees hazardous-waste and toxics reduction for Ecology. "It's not just Phillip Services that concerns Ecology. The entire waste-handling industry needs to understand the consequences of sloppy practices."
The company accepts a variety of chemical wastes, including acid waste from chipboard manufacturers. Other wastes are shipped away for disposal or stored in the company's tank farm.
In addition to the penalty and order, the company's new hazardous-waste permit will contain more-stringent requirements, Seiler said.
"In the interest of moving forward on the environmental issues, Philip Services has agreed to accept this enforcement action. As a result, resources of both Ecology and the company will be focused on making necessary changes at the facility, not appealing the action," Seiler said.
Burlington Environmental has been inspected by Ecology on an annual basis since it began operations in 1980. Prior to the June incident, the company had experienced no releases of this magnitude.
Its violations of state and federal dangerous-waste regulations were resolved without issuing a penalty or order. In 1992, however, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency entered into a consent order with Burlington Environmental for a site assessment and cleanup action plan.
Burlington Environmental, Inc., is owned by Phillip Services of Houston, Texas. BEI owns and operates four other facilities in Washington that treat, store and dispose of dangerous wastes.
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
