Evonik and EPA settle violation fee on gas emissions in personal and home care manufacturing plant

25 Apr 2023 --- Evonik has reached a settlement with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over violations relating to permitted emission limits of ethylene oxide (EtO) and ethylene glycol (EG) at its facility in Reserve, Louisiana. The chemicals are used in personal care consumer products, ranging from cosmetics to home care.

The agreement with the EPA includes a US$75,000 civil penalty and the adoption of several measures to reduce emissions and leaks. 

Evonik also agreed to spend at least US$335,000 for a supplemental environmental project as part of the settlement to design, install and operate a Vapor Recovery System to capture volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

The alleged violations resulted from a monitoring and enforcement effort by officials from EPA and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality following EPA Administrator Michael Regan’s visit to the area. 

“Even though Evonik is technically classified as a minor source of emissions, the facility’s impact on people living nearby can be significant,” says EPA regional administrator Dr. Earthea Nance. “Through an innovative enforcement approach, EPA’s team was able to secure a meaningful reduction of air toxics for the people of St. John the Baptist.”

Kelly Lanz, senior ESHQ advisor for Evonik’s Care Solutions business in North America, adds: “We want people in the community to know that we are very sorry. As soon as we realized that our emissions exceeded the permitted limits, we voluntarily shut down production and self-reported the data to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) and EPA Region 6.”

“We have installed improved control technologies to make sure this doesn’t happen again and are committed to further reducing EtO and EG emissions.”

Evonik’s corrective actions will reduce hazardous air pollutant emissions by about 5.6 metric tons annually.Protecting people
The EPA shares that Evonik’s corrective actions will reduce hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions by about 5.6 metric tons annually, including 2.16 metric tons of EtO. 

“Ethylene oxide is a hazardous organic pollutant and VOC that can cause cancer in humans. VOCs can contribute to the formation of ozone, or smog, which can result in health problems such as asthma, lung infections, bronchitis, and cancer,” the EPA informs.

Furthermore, Evonik elaborates that EtO and EG are considered HAPs under the Clean Air Act.

“EtO is a colorless, flammable gas used as a raw material to manufacture ingredients for consumer products like laundry detergent or cleaning solutions that help maintain the health and safety of consumers. EG is a colorless liquid found in products like antifreeze, cosmetics and ballpoint pens. EG can be released into outdoor air as a liquid spray, vapor or mist,” the specialty chemicals supplier states.

Evonik will implement an enhanced leak detection and repair program within 60 days as part of the agreement. Evonik also will design and install a vapor recovery system for the facility’s truck loading docks to route air pollutants and vapors that currently vent to the atmosphere to the new control devices, the thermal oxidizer and the permanent flare. 

The project must be completed by December 31, 2026.

“We cannot have a healthy society without a healthy environment,” remarks Congressman Troy Carter. “For my constituents, this is their home, and it is the primary duty of the government to ensure that people are safe and protected in their communities. We must continue to find solutions that can provide a clean environment alongside industry. I’m pleased that this settlement will reduce air toxics for the people of St. John the Baptist parish.”

Crackdown on toxins
EPA inspected Evonik’s Reserve facility in April 2022 as part of the Pollution Accountability Team, an air monitoring project developed by EPA enforcement teams based on concerns of area residents.Surfactants (surface-active agents) reduce the surface tension between two chemical substances.

The initiative combined high-tech air pollution monitoring and real-time physical inspections. EPA’s Airborne Spectral Photometric Environmental Collection Technology (ASPECT) airplane collected emissions data from facilities while EPA’s Geospatial Monitoring of Air Pollution (GMAP) vehicle monitored pollution levels at facility fence lines and adjacent neighborhoods.

Teams of inspectors from EPA and LDEQ were available to follow up with on-the-spot, unannounced inspections at specific facilities if monitoring results indicated elevated emissions.

“As part of ongoing emission reduction projects, Evonik reverified the emissions calculations and found that emissions had exceeded the permitted levels. After completing the emissions calculations, Evonik immediately ceased the respective operations,” Evonik shares.

“They remained shut down from November 18, 2022, until the installation of a temporary flare on February 3, 2023.”

Evonik details that it employs more than 50 people at the Reserve site, which the company purchased in 2017, who manufacture specialty surfactants for cleaning products, laundry soap, surface coatings and agricultural applications. 

“We care deeply about the environment and the health and safety of our employees and the neighbors of our plant,” concludes Lanz.

By Radhika Sikaria