DEP reaches agreement on reimbursement for Pool Doctor emergency response
American Lung Association releases its 2024 State of the Air report
In general, air quality in the Pittsburgh region has improved since the last report from the American Lung Association.
ROCHESTER – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has proposed a settlement with the group responsible for the illegal dumping of hazardous chemicals in Beaver County.
In a state agency statement, the DEP announced that Arxada (formerly known as Lonza, Inc.) has agreed to pay $1.3 million to settle claims it arranged to dispose of hazardous chemicals at the Pool Doctor site in Rochester. Officials said the company dumped 140 tons of hydantoin, a hazardous chemical, at the site under the guise of a sale.
“This investigation and subsequent cleanup led by DEP exemplifies our commitment to getting things done for the citizens of Pennsylvania and holding polluters accountable,” said Jessica Shirley, DEP deputy secretary. “I applaud the dedicated staff who worked tirelessly to not only clean up an environmental, health and safety hazard, but also followed every lead to ensure those who profited from this recklessness are held accountable.”
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Times reporters first reported on the arbitration in February, when the DEP announced it would seek a total of $2.4 million in costs related to the former Rochester site. The cleanup was required after the site where the chemicals were stored collapsed and caught fire twice in 2019, creating a cloud of chlorine and bromine that prompted two emergency calls in Beaver County. Officials reported that cleanup of the hazardous site cost $3 million.
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The settlement decision can be found on the DEP website and is open for public comment until October 16. Comments may also be submitted in writing to Paul Vogel, Manager, Hazardous Sites Cleanup, PA Department of Environmental Protection, 400 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or by email to the department at [email protected].
