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Department of Ecology News Release - March 28, 2008
08-078
BELLEVUE – The Department of Ecology (Ecology) has fined the Univar USA (Univar) facility in Kent $40,000 for delays in eliminating possible contact between two kinds of waste liquids that could release toxic fumes if combined.
The chemical supplier maintains two tanks that receive liquid waste from rinsing chemicals from emptied drums. One tank stores acid rinse water and the other contains bleach rinse, which is alkaline. A single containment vessel – for overflows or leaks – served both tanks.
Mixing acid and alkaline can produce a dangerous chemical reaction. Following a routine annual inspection in July, 2006, Ecology ordered Univar to provide separate containment for each tank.
Over the winter, the company informed Ecology that it had purchased two double-walled tanks to comply with the order. In June 2007, Ecology inspectors found that Univar had not installed the new tanks. The existing tanks, with their shared containment, remained in use.
The company installed the new tanks soon after that inspection.
“Anyone who handles chemicals must make it a high priority to keep incompatible materials safely separated,” said Darin Rice, who manages Ecology’s Hazardous Waste and Toxic Reduction program. “Univar started to take the right steps, and would have been in full compliance if the company had continued to follow through. Safety corrections – to protect workers and the community – cannot wait.”
Univar may appeal the penalty to Ecology or to the Washington State Pollution Control Hearings Board within 30 days.
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Media Contact: Larry Altose, Ecology media relations, 425-649-7009; Pager 206-663-1785
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
