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TWO VIRGINIA MEAT PLANTS CITED FOR FAILING TO REPORT HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TO EMERGENCY RESPONSE OFFICIALS

Release Date: 10/8/1998
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith (215) 814-5543 William Smith (215) 814-2960

PHILADELPHIA - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced that it has cited two Virginia meat processing companies for failing to report hazardous materials to state and local emergency response agencies.

In separate administrative complaints filed under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), EPA has proposed penalties of $41,500 against Valley Proteins, Inc., owner of a  rendering plant in Emporia, Va.; and $58,000 against Boar's Head Provisions Co., which operates a meat processing and packing plant in Jarratt, Va.  The violations were uncovered during  inspections of the plants.

EPCRA was enacted to protect public health and the environment from accidental releases of hazardous and toxic chemicals.  The law requires companies that store over a threshold quantity of hazardous chemicals to file material safety data sheets (MSDS)
-- or a list of chemicals requiring MSDS -- with the state and local emergency response agency and the local fire department.

MSDS are significant because they describe health risks associated with a chemical, and safety precautions for handling or accidental exposure.  EPCRA also requires companies to annually update state and local emergency response agencies, and the local fire department, on the maximum and average amount of hazardous chemicals present at the facility.  

Valley Proteins renders slaughterhouse and other meat processing byproducts to produce protein meal and fat for use as poultry and hog feed.  According to EPA, Valley Protein failed to submit required reports for storing approximately 242,000 pounds of No. 6 fuel oil, 219,000 pounds of low sulfur diesel fuel, 41,600 pounds of sodium chlorite, 16,000 pounds of aluminum chloride, and 450 pounds of chlorine.  These violations occurred in 1994, 1995 and 1996.
 
EPA alleges that Boar’s Head failed to submit required reports for its storage of approximately 105,000 pounds of No. 2 fuel oil, 60,000 pounds of carbon dioxide, 10,000 to 14,000 pounds of propane, and 18,750 to 32,053 pounds of anhydrous ammonia.  These violations occurred in 1994 through 1997.

It is important to note that the complaints involve alleged reporting violations and not unlawful releases of these chemicals.  The companies may request hearings to contest the alleged violations and proposed penalties
 

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