In the month of May (2012) three NH3 Refrigeration facilities have received substantial fines relating to their NH3 refrigeration process. A large food distribution business/cold storage warehouse agreed to pay a penalty of $126,700and a cheese processing facility agreed to pay a penalty of $42,435 to settle claims by that they violated the Clean Air Act by not reporting releases of Anhydrous Ammonia over 100 pounds. A frozen bread products facility agreed to pay over $84,000 for storing large amounts of anhydrous ammonia without properly reporting it to the Fire Department, County Local Emergency Planning Committee and the State Emergency Response Commission.
The cold storage warehouse case stems from an investigation following the release of anhydrous ammonia in 2007. Although no one was seriously hurt, the release prompted the evacuation of nearby homes and sent 13 employees to the hospital for decontamination and treatment of respiratory ailments. The facility also agreed to provide a hazardous materials trailer and associated equipment worth $10,405 to the local Fire Department to help emergency responders in the area address hazardous substance releases. Click Here to read the full release from EPA.
The cheese processing facility was impacted by a power outage caused by a storm on June 30, 2008. The electrical storm caused power surges that disrupted the computers and compressors that control the ammonia system at the facility. The computer failure caused a pressure relief valve to open, releasing nearly 2,500 pounds of ammonia into the environment. The facility failed to immediately notify local and state agencies about the release. No injuries were reported at the time of the incident. Click Here to read the full release from EPA.
The frozen cinnamon rolls and other frozen bread products facility failed to file inventory forms with state and local emergency response entities from 2006 through 2009, as required by law. Click Here to read the full release from EPA.