EPA Enforcement Roundup: Week of 2/17

Penalties for Common Environmental Compliance Mistakes

The EPA Enforcement Roundup gives you insight into how and why US EPA and State partners assess penalties for environmental noncompliance.

All violations or claims discussed below are alleged only unless we say otherwise, and we withhold the names of organizations and individuals to protect their privacy.

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A grocery chain headquartered in Santa Fe Springs faces $253,909 in penalties for the alleged distribution of unregistered disinfectants.

The chain allegedly distributed two unregistered disinfectant products, a violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Both products allegedly claimed, “to kill 99% of germs and bacteria” and advertised “effectively eliminating the Coronavirus and other germs.”

Under FIFRA, products claiming to kill or mitigate pests on surfaces, including microorganisms, must be registered with the EPA before being sold or distributed. Registration ensures that products have been properly tested and meet federal safety standards.

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Operators of a mobile home park agreed to upgrade its drinking water and wastewater systems and pay a $50,000 penalty.

The consent decree announced by US EPA requires the park’s owners to make upgrades and operational improvements to the drinking water system in the park over the next two years. The owners must also develop a wastewater system assessment, expected to be completed by March 2026, and fix problems identified during the wastewater system assessment after the Oasis drinking water system improvements are completed.

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A waste recycler faces a $33,000 penalty for alleged dangerous waste violations in Washington State.

In Kent, Washington, the facility focused on consumer electronics and refrigerant reclamation from appliances. The Washington Department of Ecology inspected the recycler’s facility in August 2023 and found:

• An unpermitted battery recycling operation that lacked regular inspections, adequate staff training, and approved closure plans.
• Improper shipment of the material reclaimed from the battery recycling to an out-of-state manufacturer without required documentation or notification of the receiving state’s environmental agency.
• Acceptance and handling of waste containing nicotine, a type of dangerous waste the facility was not permitted to handle.

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Complete Environmental Regulations Training

Want a clearer idea of how major EPA air, water, and chemical programs all fit together to affect your site's activities? Join in on the next Complete Environmental Regulations Webinar on March 13–14 at Lion.com.

EH&S professionals who attend can identify the regulations that apply to their facility and locate key requirements to achieve compliance with the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts to EPCRA, TSCA, Superfund, and more. Prefer to train at your own pace? Try the interactive online course.