EPA Targets Air Pollution and Chemical Reporting Violations
April 23, 2025 was a "big hit" with EPA
On April 23, 2025, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced multiple settlements, reinforcing its enforcement of environmental regulations in the Midwest. These actions address Clean Air Act and Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) violations.
In Illinois, Nalco Production LLC and Nalco Co. LLC will pay $401,300 for Clean Air Act violations at their Chicago facility. The EPA identified deficiencies in hazard assessment, process safety information, operating procedures, and equipment inspections. Nalco must upgrade safety measures, including ventilation system inspections, pressure relief valve checks, additional sensors, and improved record-keeping.
In Indiana, Phoenix Global in Burns Harbor will pay $190,860 for Clean Air Act violations, including exceeding opacity and permit limits, potentially releasing hazardous metals. The settlement mandates dust-curbing equipment investments.
In Minnesota, Miller Waste Mills, Inc. (RTP Company) in Winona will pay $112,155 for TSCA violations. The company failed to submit required data reports for four imported chemicals used in textile waste processing and thermoplastic compounds, limiting the EPA’s ability to assess risks.
In Ohio, Carmeuse Lime Inc. will pay $260,000 for Clean Air Act violations at its Bettsville facility, exceeding sulfur dioxide emissions limits. The settlement requires stricter emissions limits and continuous kiln monitoring.
Benefits of Robust Process Safety Management
The Nalco case underscores the value of a strong process safety management (PSM) plan. While OSHA mandates PSM for industries handling highly hazardous chemicals, its principles benefit all facilities by fostering cross-departmental synergies among compliance, operations, maintenance, and engineering teams. A robust PSM plan aligns these groups to "keep it in the pipe," ensuring safe, reliable, and compliant operations.
Integrating PSM principles allows these teams collaborate to identify and mitigate risks proactively, creating a unified approach to safety and operational excellence. Key benefits include:
Fewer accidents and injuries through shared hazard identification and risk control, with compliance ensuring regulatory adherence, operations maintaining safe procedures, and engineering designing robust systems.
Reduced environmental impact by preventing leaks and releases, with maintenance ensuring equipment integrity and compliance teams monitoring emissions to avoid costly cleanups.
Enhanced operational efficiency through streamlined procedures, where operations standardizes workflows, maintenance schedules preventive upkeep, and engineering optimizes equipment design.
Improved business continuity by minimizing disruptions, with operations and maintenance coordinating to prevent downtime and engineering implementing resilient systems.
Lower insurance costs driven by a strong safety record, supported by compliance documentation and cross-team risk management.
Stronger community relations through demonstrated safety and environmental commitment, with compliance and operations engaging stakeholders to build trust.
A well-executed PSM plan unites compliance, operations, maintenance, and engineering to create synergies that enhance safety, reliability, and sustainability. These EPA settlements highlight the need for proactive, collaborative safety measures to protect people, the environment, and the bottom line.
Want to learn about the 14 elements of PSM? Read all about them here.