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EPA Settles Case with Berwind Pharmaceutical for Hazardous Waste Violations

Release Date: 2/2/2001
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith, (215) 814-5543

Bonnie Smith, (215) 814-5543

PHILADELPHIA — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that Berwind Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., will pay a $14,943 penalty for allegedly violating federal hazardous waste laws at its Colorcon facility located in West Point, Pennsylvania.

The alleged violations were discovered during an EPA inspection of the Montgomery County facility. Berwind develops coating systems for the pharmaceutical and food industries and manufacturers inks and coatings for medications.

Payment of the penalty settles EPA’s complaint citing the company with violating regulations designed to reduce the threat of leaks and spills during short-term storage of hazardous waste. Specifically, the complaint alleged that several 55-gallon hazardous waste drums were not properly labeled or dated, and one drum was not properly closed. In addition, the facility did not update a required hazardous waste emergency contingency plan for local authorities.

Contingency plans are important in case of a fire or other emergency. The plans notify emergency responders about the type, quantity, and location of chemicals on site to protect responders, and the community, from exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.

The company cooperated with EPA to reach an amicable resolution. As a part of the settlement, the company neither admitted nor denied the violations alleged in the complaint.