The state of Kentucky has ordered a plastics packaging firm to immediately stop releasing a solvent into the Ohio River.
The state government’s Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet (EPPC) has clamped down on Pregis Innovative Packaging and told it to put right any problems it has regarding the discharge of methylene chloride.
The chemical is used in the production of flexible urethane foams and plastics. Although the chemical does not pose a significant health risk to humans at low doses, according to the EPPC, prolonged exposure can be harmful to humans.
The order is intended to bringing Pregis into compliance with the Clean Water Act. “Whenever any activity poses a danger to Kentucky’s residents or our natural resources, we must act decisively to bring that activity to an end and to enforce the law,” said an EPPC spokesperson in a written press release.
The methylene chloride release was first detected about 130 miles downstream of the plant, at the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission sampling station at the Greater Cincinnati Water Works. Elevated levels of the chemical were noted in April.
Pregis is an international maker of protective flexible and food service packaging and also hospital supply products. It operates out of 45 facilities in 18 countries. It bought Romanian-based Petroflax for $12 million cash in July.
The Kentucky Division of Water (DOW) inspected the Pregis Ohio facility in June and issued a notice of violation (NOV) for failure to report an elevated discharge of methylene chloride.
The notice required the company to provide data indicating the time and location of the release, the type and quantity of material discharged and the steps taken to mitigate the release and prevent future releases.
The NOV also required the continuation of daily monitoring with submission of the results to DOW within 72 hours. A second NOV was issued to Pregis on 24 July for again failing to notify DOW of a methylene chloride discharge. It listed additional violations of state regulations, including discharging without a valid Kentucky Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit.
Pregis contacted EPPC officials 27 July and said they will comply with the order and regrets that the violations occurred.
