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U.S. EPA, BFI MEDICAL SETTLE PHOENIX INCINERATOR VIOLATIONS FOR $125,000

Release Date: 2/20/1996
Contact Information: Bill Glenn, U.S. EPA, (415) 744-1589

    (San Francisco)--The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) today announced that BFI Medical Waste Systems of Arizona has agreed to pay a penalty of $125,000 to settle allegations that its medical waste incinerator at the Maricopa Medical Center in Phoenix violated air pollution limits.
     
     In a civil complaint filed concurrently with the settlement in U.S. District Court in Phoenix today, U.S. EPA alleged that BFI violated a federally enforceable rule issued by Maricopa County's air pollution control agency by exceeding limits for emissions of particulate matter on approximately 224 days between February 1990 and November 1991.

     When BFI's incinerator was not operating properly, the medical waste material smoldered, resulting in the release of excess particulate matter to the atmosphere and contributing to poorer air quality in the Phoenix area.

     BFI also allegedly violated a second Maricopa County rule at its incinerator by failing to install control equipment, conduct a performance test, and submit the results of the performance test by the deadlines set forth in its installation permit.  BFI eventually complied with both Maricopa County rules by installing and operating a dry scrubber and a baghouse at its incinerator in July 1992.

     The Phoenix air basin fails to meet federal health standards for particulate pollution.  Particulate matter includes dust, smoke, fly ash and condensing vapors that can be suspended in the air for long periods of time.  When inhaled, these microscopic particles can lodge in the lungs and affect respiratory function.  Health effects from chronic exposure to high levels of particulate matter vary from nasal irritation to emphysema and bronchitis.  Young people, the elderly, and people with heart or lung disease are especially susceptible.


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