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Lowell. Mass. Manufacturer to Perform Environmental Audits, Pay Fine for Air and Waste Violations

Release Date: 08/10/2009
Contact Information: Paula Ballentine, (617) 918-1027

(Boston, Mass. – Aug. 10, 2009) - Bradford Industries, Inc. will hire an independent environmental auditor to conduct two comprehensive audits of Bradford’s environmental compliance in order to settle a federal enforcement case for violations at the company’s fabric coating plant in downtown Lowell, Mass.

Under the settlement, which was negotiated with EPA and the U.S. Department of Justice, Bradford will also establish full-time environmental manager and environmental technician positions, and will pay a $75,000 penalty.

The case complaint, filed together with the settlement on Aug. 7 in Massachusetts federal district court, alleged that Bradford violated 21 separate Clean Air Act and hazardous waste requirements at its Lowell plant. The alleged violations included failure to monitor and maintain air pollution control equipment, and improper handling and storage of hazardous wastes generated at the plant.

Some of Bradford’s violations caused excess volatile organic compound (“VOCs”) and hazardous air pollutant emissions (mainly toluene). VOCs are a main precursor of ground-level ozone smog, a special concern in Massachusetts because the state’s air contains unhealthy ozone concentrations.

The environmental audit firm will independently examine Bradford’s compliance with all major environmental laws, regulations and permits. The firm will conduct two separate audits about a year apart, and will produce audit reports that will be sent directly to EPA. The $75,000 settlement amount takes into account the economic impact of the penalty on Bradford’s business.

More information:

- EPA enforcement of clean air requirements in New England (epa.gov/region1/enforcement/air/index.html )

- EPA enforcement of hazardous waste requirements in New England (epa.gov/region1/enforcement/waste/index.html )

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