Cold store to pay for ammonia violations

USA: A Connecticut cold storage company has agreed to pay $124,181 to settle claims it violated the US Clean Air Act’s chemical release prevention requirements.

Under the settlement, the company, Bozzuto’s Inc, is also updating its operations so that public safety is significantly enhanced.

The settlement stems from an inspection in October 2012 of Bozzuto’s handling of anhydrous ammonia and adherence to the risk management plan regulations of the Clean Air Act.

To address EPA’s claims, Bozzuto’s has spent over $500,000 to bring both its North Haven and Cheshire, Conn facilities into compliance with Clean Air Act chemical safety standards. Going beyond what is required by the regulations, Bozzuto’s installed an ammonia detection system with more detection points than required and installed a computerised automatic shut-down control system.

“It is very important for ammonia refrigeration facilities to understand the risks associated with their use of this hazardous chemical and maintain a safe operation,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England office. “It is a matter of public safety that ammonia refrigeration facilities carefully adhere to regulations designed to ensure that these companies manage their systems more safely.”

Facilities operating systems with more than 10,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia are subject to the risk management plan regulations, while smaller refrigeration systems are subject to the more general “General Duty Clause” of Clean Air Act Section 112(r)(1).