U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has settled an administrative complaint against Ford Motor Co. for alleged hazardous waste violations at 14 U.S. auto assembly plants. A $244,000 penalty will be paid and Ford will bring all of its plants into compliance with EPA requirements.
The complaint was initially issued by EPA Region 5 under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act to the Ford facility in Avon, Ohio. Region 5 also added Ford painting and waste storage systems in Chicago, St. Paul, Minn., Dearborn, Wixom and Wayne (two facilities), Mich., to the complaint. EPA Regions 2, 3, 4 and 7 joined in the agreement that involves Ford plants in Hapeville, Ga.; Edison, N.J.; Claycomo and Hazelwood, Mo.; Louisville, Ky. (two facilities); and Norfolk, Va.
EPA cited the automaker for not monitoring for leaks from the equipment used to paint vehicles and for not keeping records of monitoring practices. Ford was also cited for not assessing and inspecting the integrity of equipment and secondary containment systems.
EPA regulates the safe handling, transportation, treatment and disposal of hazardous waste, from its origin to its final disposal.