CHEMCENTRAL TO PAY FINE, REIMBURSEMENT FOR 2007 PLANT EXPLOSION
Chemcentral Midwest Corp. of Kansas City agreed to pay a
$225,000 fine and reimburse the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) $150,713
for federal law violations involving an explosion in February 2007, the EPA reported.
The EPA said the explosion at 910 N. Prospect Ave. occurred when Chemcentral workers transferred polybutene, a chemical used in sealants, coatings, lubricants, cling film and adhesives. The EPA investigation determined that Chemcentral violated the Clean Air Act by failing to identify chemical hazards and failing to design and maintain a safe facility. The EPA also determined that Chemcentral violated the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act by failing to submit a chemical inventory form for polybutene to the local emergency planning committee, the state emergency response commission, and the local fire department.
An EPA spokesman would not say whether the company admitted to or denied wrongdoing as part of the settlement.
A spokeswoman for Chemcentral declined to comment on the settlement.
Chemcentral was bought by Univar in April 2007.
The EPA said the explosion at 910 N. Prospect Ave. occurred when Chemcentral workers transferred polybutene, a chemical used in sealants, coatings, lubricants, cling film and adhesives. The EPA investigation determined that Chemcentral violated the Clean Air Act by failing to identify chemical hazards and failing to design and maintain a safe facility. The EPA also determined that Chemcentral violated the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act by failing to submit a chemical inventory form for polybutene to the local emergency planning committee, the state emergency response commission, and the local fire department.
An EPA spokesman would not say whether the company admitted to or denied wrongdoing as part of the settlement.
A spokeswoman for Chemcentral declined to comment on the settlement.
Chemcentral was bought by Univar in April 2007.
Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!
