Chemical company fined $75K by EPA after a ruptured transfer hose leads to a 5,000-gallon sulfuric acid spill

Roberts Chemical Company, Inc. will have to pay $74,914 in penalties to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for violating the Clean Air Act General Duty Clause. The facility, located in Massachusetts, repackages and stores multiple chemicals that are supplied via tanker truck or railcar. The plant handles several "extremely hazardous substances," as defined by the General Duty Clause. This includes sulfuric acid, nitric acid, aqueous ammonia, and cyanides. The inciting incident occurred when a transfer hose ruptured, causing 5,000 gallons of sulfuric acid to be spilled.

In a recent quote, EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash said, "Hazardous chemicals need to be clearly labeled, and safely explained, stored, and moved to ensure the safety of workers, families in the area, and emergency responders if accidents occur. We don't roll the dice on protecting public health and the environment. One lesson from this case is that companies transferring extremely hazardous chemicals should have excellent hose maintenance programs. In this case, approximately 5,000-gallons of sulfuric acid spilled from a ruptured transfer hose while a tank railcar was being unloaded."