The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement with the corporation BC Systems/Fresh Express (BC Systems) to resolve violations of the federal Clean Air Act and Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act. BC Systems will pay a $186,975 civil penalty for violating chemical accident prevention requirements at the company's storage and distribution facilities in Yuma, Arizona, and Salinas, California.
BC Systems industrial refrigeration systems use anhydrous ammonia, a toxic chemical highly corrosive to skin, eyes and lungs.
Several violations were found during EPA inspections in 2017 and 2018:
Failure to meet the Clean Air Act's chemical accident prevention requirements to safely manage anhydrous ammonia.
Failure to meet the Clean Air Act's risk management program requirements for ammonia refrigeration system hazard review, pipe and instrument labeling, operating procedures, and maintaining mechanical integrity.
Failure to meet the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act requirements to accurately submit chemical inventory information regarding the ammonia to the States of Arizona and California and local emergency response agencies.