EPA: Borden has made progress on chem. claims

BOSTON – Fall River-based Borden & Remington Corp. has taken significant steps to make its chemical manufacturing, warehouse and distribution facility safer following an Administrative Compliance Order issued by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in March 2014, the agency said last month.
The order identified several dangerous conditions arising from the company’s use, storage and handling of chlorine and ammonia.
In a related settlement agreement filed by EPA, Borden also agreed to pay civil penalties of $114,118 to resolve EPA claims that the facility violated federal Clean Air Act requirements to prevent chemical releases at the facility.
According to a news release, EPA alleged that Borden & Remington Corp. violated Clean Air Act requirements that spell out chemical-accident-prevention provisions by failing to prepare and submit a plan that included all covered ammonia and chlorine processes at its facility, and by failing to comply with process safety information and operating- procedures requirements relating to its use, storage and handling of ammonia and chlorine. Borden also allegedly violated the Clean Air Act’s General Duty Clause by storing incompatible chemicals so close together that a spill or release of one chemical could result in a violent chemical reaction with another chemical, potentially releasing toxic gases or causing a fire or explosion.
The case stemmed from an EPA inspection of the facility in May 2012. Since the inspection, Borden has taken numerous steps to come into compliance with the Clean Air Act and reduce the risk of an accidental release at the facility, the agency said. •

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