Atofina to Pay $1.9 Million Pollution Fine
21 January 2002 00:00 [Source: ICB Americas]
French chemicals giant Atofina Chemicals Inc. has agreed to pay a
civil penalty of $1.9 million and implement "significant pollution
control measures" at its facilities in Alabama, Kentucky and Texas,
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said last week.
The settlement agreement, which is subject to a 30-day public
comment period, concludes EPA's multistate investigation of
Atofina, a worldwide speciality chemicals company with 26
manufacturing facilities in the US.
At an estimated cost of $5.3 million, EPA says Atofina (formerly
known as Elf Atochem North America Inc.) has committed to
implementing pollution control measures that will reduce emissions
of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by about 2,500 tons per year
and emissions of ozone-depleting substances by 750 tons per year
from its facilities in Kentucky and Alabama.
VOCs are key contributors to ground-level ozone, or smog, which
can aggravate respiratory problems. Emissions of ozone-depleting
substances contribute to the reduction in tropospheric ozone, which
protects the earth from the sun's harmful ultraviolet
radiation.
EPA says Atofina will also install a new storm water control
system at its Houston, Tex., facility and will undertake a project
to improve a portion of the Montlimar Canal in Mobile, Ala., with
emphasis on erosion control and development of a greenway along the
canal banks.
The consent decree resolves environmental claims brought against
the company under the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and the Emergency Planning
and Community Right-to-Know Act.
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