Chemcentral Midwest Corp, Kansas City MO, will pay a $225,000 fine to settle a civil complaint filed against the company by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 in connection with a fire and explosion at the Kansas City facility last year. The company also agreed to reimburse EPA's costs of $150,713 for responding to the blaze, according to EPA information.
The explosion occurred when company workers were transferring Indopol, a fuel additive used in sealants, coatings, lubricants, cling film, and adhesives. Indopol is a trade name for polybutene, according to EPA information.
EPA's investigation found that the company violated the Clean Air Act by failing to identify chemical hazards and failing to design and maintain a safe facility. EPA also found that it violated the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act by failing to submit a chemical inventory form for Indopol to the local emergency planning committee, the state emergency response commission, and the local fire department.
The cost recovery part of the settlement is subject to a public comment period of no less than 30 days. EPA may modify or withdraw its consent to the settlement if public comments disclose facts or considerations that indicate the settlement is inappropriate, improper, or inadequate, according to EPA information.
EPA said the agency provided assistance to emergency responders and conducted extensive air monitoring, including deploying the agency's flying chemical detection system. EPA also took samples from locations outside of the site and at nearby schools.