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Army Research Facility in Hanover N.H. Faces Hazardous Waste Violations

Release Date: 10/28/2008
Contact Information: Jeanethe Falvey, (617) 918-1020

(Boston, Mass. – October 28, 2008) – An EPA Administrative Complaint alleges multiple violations of federal hazardous waste laws by the U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, based in Hanover, N.H. The facility may be subject to penalties of nearly $113,000 for violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).

The violations included the facility’s improper handling and labeling of multiple hazardous waste containers. During a federal facility inspection, EPA found that the facility failed to take the necessary steps to determine which containers housed hazardous wastes and failed to properly label containers of hazardous wastes. In addition, the facility stored containers of hazardous wastes in an area with a functional floor drain without measures for secondary containment in the event of a leak or spill.

Hazardous waste generators are required to fully evaluate and disclose their waste streams so that proper decisions can be made on how to handle such materials. Proper determinations and labeling of containers allows facilities and regulators to safely handle the chemical wastes that are generated, used and stored within a particular facility.

The Cold Regions facility conducts research on the impacts of human activity on the environment in colder regions, as well as the effects of the cold on construction equipment, operations and facility maintenance. Additionally, researchers conduct problem solving for materials used in cold environments and research the nature of snow, ice and frozen ground.

EPA has previously provided on-site compliance assistance to this facility to help improve its Environmental Management Program.

More Information: RCRA & Hazardous Waste enforcement in New England (epa.gov/region1/enforcement/waste/index.html)

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