Dow receives EPA citation
Saturday, July 15, 2006
JEAN SPENNER THE SAGINAW NEWS MIDLAND

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has cited Dow Chemical Co. with Clean Air Act violations at its Midland operations.

The Midland-based company, maker of chemical, plastic and agricultural products, failed to comply with emission standards for hazardous air pollutants, the EPA alleges.

The EPA said the company violated testing, operating, monitoring, record keeping, reporting and notification requirements. In addition, EPA says that Dow has exceeded emissions and other limits.

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"The EPA's complaint deals with chemical reporting issues that Dow proactively identified and voluntarily disclosed to the EPA in 2003," Dow Michigan Operations spokeswoman Jennifer Heronema said.

The EPA's findings are preliminary. Dow has 30 days to meet with agency officials to discuss the allegations.

In an unrelated action, the EPA filed a complaint against Dow for failure to comply with the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act.

It cited the company for failure to file the required chemical release forms for the 2,4-D butoxyethyl ester in 2000, 2001 and 2002 and cited Dow for underreporting the volume of chloromethane and propylene oxide released from the facility during the same years.

Dow said the company is reviewing the information.

"Based on preliminary review, we disagree with some of EPA's findings and may agree with others," the company said. "We have seen no indication that any of these matters involved harm to health or the environment."

The EPA has proposed a $53,109 penalty. Dow may request a hearing and/or settlement conference. v
 

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