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COOK TO PAY OVER $100K FOR HAZARDOUS WASTE VIOLATIONS AT CHATHAM, VA PLANT - Company Also Agrees to $50K Study on Further Hazardous Waste Reduction

Release Date: 10/19/1998
Contact Information: Ruth Podems (215) 814-5540

CHATHAM, Va. - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has settled its complaint against Cook Composites and Polymers Co. for allegedly violating federal hazardous waste laws at its industrial plant here.

In an October 15, 1998 settlement agreement, the polyester resin manufacturer agreed to pay a $109,897 penalty and correct its alleged violations of the federal statute regulating the treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste.  

EPA’s September 30, 1997 complaint cited Cook Composites for several violations of regulations and the company’s hazardous waste disposal permit.  Among the alleged violations are failure to conduct required analysis and keep proper records of hazardous waste burned at the facility’s incinerator, failure to conduct or document inspections of waste monitoring and safety equipment, failure to maintain adequate temperatures or air flow rates in the waste incinerator, and violations of various equipment monitoring and marking requirements.

As part of the settlement, Cook Composites also agreed to undertake a $50,000 study to investigate an innovative recycling technology to reduce the amount of hazardous waste "reaction water" generated by its manufacturing processes.  The company has agreed to use this technology if the study demonstrates its feasibility.


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