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East Boston Sandblaster Fined $30K for Hazardous Waste Violations

Release Date: 08/14/2008
Contact Information: David Deegan, (617) 918-1017

(Boston, Mass. – Aug. 14, 2008) - Amex Inc., an East Boston, Mass. sandblaster of tanks, bridges and barges, has paid a fine and will donate emergency response equipment, totaling $30,000, under the terms of a settlement with EPA regarding hazardous waste violations.

The Agreement filed by EPA resolves violations of federal hazardous waste management law at the East Boston facility. Under the settlement, Amex paid a cash penalty of $9,650 and will donate $20,400 worth of emergency response equipment to the Boston Fire Department.

An EPA inspection in Aug. 2006 identified that Amex had failed to perform hazardous waste determinations, had inadequately trained handlers of hazardous waste, had inadequate emergency preparedness plans, had not conducted necessary inspections of hazardous waste areas, and had not properly labeled hazardous waste containers.

In addition to the cash penalty, Amex will purchase six multi-gas detectors which will be donated to Boston Fire Department hazardous materials units. The hand-held units will be used by the Fire Department’s hazardous materials response units to simultaneously monitor for volatile organic compounds with low vapor pressures and measure for combustible, toxic and oxygen-deficient atmospheres in the event of a chemical emergency. The units allow response teams to monitor for hundreds of chemicals as well as four types of gases.

Under EPA oversight, Amex has now come into compliance and is working to ensure that it continues to comply with federal and other environmental requirements.

“All companies that handle or store hazardous wastes must understand and follow their obligations under federal environmental laws,” said Robert W. Varney, regional administrator of EPA’s New England office. “Following hazardous waste requirements helps ensure that the health of people and the environment is being protected.”

More information: Enforcing hazardous waste requirements in New England (epa.gov/region1/enforcement/waste)

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