# RHONE-POULENC
> **Administrative - Formal** · FY2000 · — · —
## Case
- **Activity ID:** `51607`
- **Case Number:** 08-2000-0208
- **Type:** Administrative - Formal
- **Lead:** EPA
- **Outcome:** —
- **Penalty assessed:** —
- **Cost recovery:** —
- **Compliance action $:** —
- **Multimedia (multi-env):** N
## Defendants
- RHODIA, INC. (complaint) (settlement)
- RHONE-POULENC (complaint) (settlement)
## Summary

THIS ORDER IS ISSUED TO RHONE-POULENC AND ITS SUBSIDIARY     RHODIA, INC. TO PROTECT HEALTH AND/OR THE ENVIRONMENT.       BASED ON INFORMATION RECEIVED, EPA HAS DETERMINED THAT       RESPONDENT'S HANDLING OF SOLID WASTE AT THE SILVER BOW       FACILITY MAY PRESENT AN IMMINENT AND SUBSTANTIAL ENDANGER-   MENT TO HUMAN HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT.  AT AN INSPECTION  ON 5/1-4/2000, EPA OBSERVED AT 100' DIAMETER, OPEN-TOPPED    INGROUND TANK CONTAINING APPROXIMATELY 500,000 GALLONS OF    SLUDGE AND A  CAP  OF SEVERAL FEET OF WATER.  RESPONDENTS    STATED THAT THE SLUDGE IS A PHOSPHOROUS SLUDGE AND THE WATER CAP IS USED TO PREVENT THE SLUDGE FROM CONTACTING AIR.       PHOSPHORUS, WHEN COMBINED WITH WATER, REACTS TO FORM         PHOSPHINE GAS, WHICH CAN BE A SEVERE HEALTH HAZARD WHEN      INHALED.  PHOSPHINE IS ALSO CONSIDERED HIGHLY FLAMMABLE AND  MAY SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUST IN THE AIR.

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*Source: [EPA ECHO](https://echo.epa.gov/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*