EPA Settlement with Londonderry, New Hampshire Company to Improve Compliance to Help Prevent Chemical Accidents | WPN World People News

On July 9, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement with a New Hampshire company, Londonderry Freezer Warehouse, LLC, of Londonderry, for alleged violations of chemical accident prevention related to the use of anhydrous ammonia in refrigeration and cooling units. Londonderry Freezer Warehouse has spent more than $215,000 to bring its facility back into compliance with Clean Air Act (CAA) requirements that apply to ammonia refrigeration systems that have less than 10,000 pounds of ammonia. Londonderry Freezer Warehouse has paid $78,200 to resolve the alleged violations.

"This settlement reflects EPA's commitment to protect New Englanders from exposures to hazardous chemicals in the places where they live and work," said EPA New England Acting Regional Administrator Deb Szaro. "This agreement will improve Londonderry Freezer Warehouse's compliance with important laws that help protect communities."

EPA alleged that Londonderry Freezer Warehouse, which operates a cold storage facility, had inadequate alarms, rusted valves, inadequate ventilation, and insufficient access to emergency controls, among other alleged deficiencies. The company fully cooperated with EPA's New England regional office and has certified that they are now in compliance with the Clean Air Act.

EPA pursued this matter and other similar cases to ensure that the anhydrous ammonia used at facilities for refrigeration is properly managed to protect the safety of workers, emergency responders, and the surrounding community and to obtain a penalty for past violations.

Anhydrous ammonia is an efficient but toxic refrigerant. EPA is working to prevent ammonia releases from industrial refrigeration systems by helping companies comply, enforcing violations of chemical accident prevention and reporting laws and hosting workshops to help emergency responders safely address ammonia leaks.

Anhydrous ammonia is used at a variety of businesses, such as cold storage warehouses, food processing, dairies, ice makers, and skating rinks. It does not deplete the ozone layer as some other refrigerants do, but ammonia has some dangerous properties and must be handled with care. The chemical is highly corrosive, and inhaling ammonia gas can be fatal. It is also flammable at certain concentrations in the air.

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency