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EPA Cites Bureau of Engraving and Printing for Hazardous Waste Violations at D.C. Plant

Release Date: 10/4/1999
Contact Information: Ruth Podems, (215) 814-5540

Ruth Podems, (215) 814-5540

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced that it has cited the U.S. Treasury Department’s Bureau of Engraving and Printing for violating federal hazardous waste laws at the bureau’s currency and postage stamp printing plant at 14th and C Streets in Washington, D.C.

EPA’s four-count administrative complaint, filed September 30, 1999 alleges violations of the federal statute regulating the treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste.

According to the complaint, an EPA inspection in January 1999 and follow-up information request uncovered violations of several safeguards designed to reduce the risk of hazardous waste spills and leaks, including: unsafe storage and handling of hazardous waste containers, failure to keep hazardous waste containers closed, failure to mark and date containers, and failure to determine if a particular waste was hazardous. The EPA has ordered the bureau to immediately comply with hazardous waste storage regulations.

The hazardous wastes include waste oils and butyl alcohol-containing inks, residues from plating operations, bucket wash sludge, caustic wash, ferric chloride, and spent cyanide solution residue.

The complaint does not propose a specific penalty for the alleged violations, however, the agency will set a proposed penalty on the basis of information exchanged in this proceeding, taking into account the seriousness of the violations and good faith compliance efforts.

The bureau is entitled to a hearing to contest the alleged violations and the proposed penalty.