Merck to Pay $1.5 Million Penalty for Environmental Violations at Two Pa. Pharmaceutical Plants

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION III- OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS 1650 Arch Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-2029  Phone - 215/814-5100   Fax - 215/814-5102 EPA Environmental News Contact: Bonnie Smith, EPA,smith.bonnie@epa.gov, 215-814-5543 Wyn Hornbuckle, DOJ,Wyn.Hornbuckle@usdoj.gov, 202-514-2007     Merck to Pay $1.5 Million Penalty for Environmental Violations at Two Pa. Pharmaceutical Plants PHILADELPHIA (Sept. 28, 2011) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Justice today announced that Merck & Co. has agreed to pay a $1.5 million civil penalty to settle alleged violations of federal environmental laws at its pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities in Riverside and West Point, Pa. The facilities are located at 100 Avenue C, Riverside in Northumberland County and 770 Sumneytown, Pike, West Point in Montgomery County. According to the United States’ complaint, Merck failed to take necessary preventative measures and follow reporting requirements under federal environmental regulations. Because Merck has already resolved the alleged violations, the United States has filed in federal district court a proposed stipulation and order to dismiss the complaint. The complaint alleges that Merck did not comply with Clean Air Act emissions reporting and recordkeeping requirements. The complaint also asserts that Merck discharged pollutants in excess of limits in its Clean Water Act permit; failed to notify local officials of hazardous substances released; and failed to properly label and store hazardous waste. The complaint is based on multi-media inspections conducted in 2006 to review both facilities’ compliance with federal air, water, hazardous waste, spill prevention, and community right-to-know regulations.   The company has taken corrective actions to correct the alleged violations, and has implemented best management practices for continuing environmental compliance.   Note: If a link above doesn't work, please copy and paste the URL into a browser. View all Region 3 News Releases You can view or update your subscriptions or e-mail address at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. All you will need is your e-mail address. If you have any questions or problems e-mail support@govdelivery.com for assistance.  This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  This email was sent to elmasry.webmaster@gmail.com using GovDelivery, on behalf of: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW · Washington DC 20460 · 202-564-4355