All News Releases By Date

Sunoco Settles Case Over Alleged Late Reporting of 1997 Chlorine Release

Release Date: 2/15/2001
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith, (215) 814-5543

Bonnie Smith, (215) 814-5543

PHILADELPHIA -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that Sun Company Inc., (R & M) – also known as Sunoco, Inc. – has agreed to a $41,000 settlement of EPA complaints related to an 1997 release of chlorine gas at Sunoco’s Marcus Hook facility.

The alleged accident occurred at about 9 a.m. on December 19, 1997, while a chemical supplier was unloading sodium hypochlorite into a tank containing zinc sulfate. The resulting chemical reaction resulted in the release of at least 30 pounds of chlorine gas, EPA alleged.

Under federal laws designed to ensure prompt emergency response to hazardous chemical releases, companies must immediately report such releases to the federal National Response Center (NRC) and to state and local emergency response officials. Companies must also promptly submit to state and local officials a written report describing their response to the release, and detailing any adverse medical effects. These requirements are intended to protect public health.

In its June 2000 administrative complaints, EPA alleged that Sunoco did not notify the NRC until 7 ½ hours after learning of the accident from the truck driver, who complained to Sunoco officials of a headache and respiratory irritation. Sunoco allegedly did not notify state or local officials in Pennsylvania and Delaware of the incident, and did not file the required followup reports.

Under its settlement agreement with EPA, Sunoco will pay a $27,000 penalty to the federal government and spend approximately $14,000 to purchase emergency response equipment for New Castle County, Del. and Delaware County, Pa.

As part of the settlement, the company neither admitted nor denied liability for the alleged violations.