Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today that TestAmerica Laboratories, Inc. d/b/a Eurofins TestAmerica, was fined $12,368.00 for hazardous material, air, and waste violations following a routine DEC inspection.
On September 28, 2021, DEC conducted a routine inspection of TestAmerica’s South Burlington chemical analysis facility. During the inspection, Agency personnel determined that paper filters generated in the extraction/wet chemistry laboratory, which contained contaminated solvents and methylene chloride were mismanaged.
The filters, or “puffs” were ventilated to the outside air, allowing the residual solvents to evaporate in violation of Vermont Hazardous Waste Management Regulations. Once the puffs were dry, they were disposed of as solid waste, rather than managed as hazardous waste. This violated the Vermont Solid Waste Management Rules.
Further, by evaporating puffs, methylene chloride was not being recovered in accordance with permitted recovery methods in violation of its Air Pollution Control Permit.
The inspection also revealed the most recent version of the facility’s contingency plan had not been submitted to the police department, as well as training and inventory violations. TestAmerica promptly discontinued the evaporation process and corrected the violations following the inspection.
Vermont laws, regulations, and permits require proper handling of waste to ensure protection of human health and the environment. Businesses must determine if their waste is hazardous and handle it properly. Training, contingency planning, and inventory requirements further ensure proper oversight and management.
DEC’s inspection programs further those aims by ensuring compliance. “DEC’s inspection programs ensure facilities are in compliance with applicable requirements,” says DEC Commissioner John Beling. “When violations are found, DEC works to return facilities to compliance, and takes enforcement action when appropriate to ensure future compliance.”
TestAmerica agreed to a fine of $12,368.00 for the violations. This agreement was incorporated into a Final Order of the Vermont Superior Court, Environmental Division on July 13, 2022.
For more information about the Agency’s Hazardous Material, Air, and Solid Waste Programs, visit https://anr.vermont.gov/.
Montpelier, VT – Vermont Agency of Natural Resources 7.18.2022
