EPA v. COSMED OF RHODE ISLAND

Case summary

COSMED OF RHODE ISLANDOWNS AND OPERATES SEVEN ETHYLENE OXIDE STERILIZATION CHAMBERS AT ITS COVENTRY FACILITY. CSMED STERILIZES MEDICAL EQUIPMENT SENT TO THE FACILITY BY THE EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS. AFTER STERILIZATION IN ONE OF THE SEVEN CHAMBERS, THE PRODUCT IS PLACED IN AN AERATION ROOM FOR UP TO 24 HOURS BEFORE BEING SHIPPED OFF SITE. COSMED IS SUBJECT TO NATIONAL EMISSION STANDARDS FOR HAZARDOUS AIR POLLUTANTS (NESHAP) FOR ETHYLENE OXIDE STERILIZATION FACILITIES, 40 CFR PART 63, SUBPART 0. THE STANDARD REQUIRES ALL SUBJECT FACILITIES WHICH USE MORE THAN 10 TONS OF ETHYLENE OXIDE PER YEAR IN STERILIZATION OPERATIONS TO CONTROL ETHYLENE OXIDE EMISSIONS FROM THE STERILIZATION CHAMBER VENTS AND AERATION ROOM VENTS BY DECEMBER 6, 1998 AND DECEMBER 6 2000, RESPECTIVELY. PERFORMANCE TESTS ON THE CONTROL EQUIPMENT WERE REQUIRED BY JUNE 4, 1999 AND JUNE 4, 2001, RESPECTIVELY. COSMED DID NOT INSTALL PROPER CONTROL EQUIPMENT ON THE AERATION ROOM VENT UNTIL AUGUST 2001. COSMED HAS NOT YET PROPERLY TESTED THE CONTROL EQUIPMENT ON THE STERILIZATION CHAMBER VENTS OR THE AERATION ROOM VENTS. THE PROPOSED AO AND RR WILL REQUIRE COSMED TO CONDUCT PERFORMANCE EMISSIONS TESTS ON THE CONTROL EQUIPMENT CONTROLLING EMISSIONS FROM THE STERILIZATION ROOM VENTS AND AERATION ROOM VENTS AND TO SUBMIT INFORMATION TO EPA AND RI DEM.

Defendants (1)

• COSMED OF RHODE ISLANDNamed in settlement

Facilities (6)

• BOSTON SCIENTIFIC CORPORATION

  8 INDUSTRIAL DRIVE, COVENTRY, RI, 02816

  Registry ID: 110032604938

• BOSTON SCIENTIFIC CORPORATION

  8 INDUSTRIAL DRIVE, COVENTRY, RI, 02816

  Registry ID: 110032604938

• COSMED OF RHODE ISLAND

  8 INDUSTRIAL DR., COVENTRY, RI, 02816

  Registry ID: 110032604938

• BOSTON SCIENTIFIC CORPORATION

  8 INDUSTRIAL DRIVE, COVENTRY, RI, 02816

  Registry ID: 110032604938

• COSMED OF RHODE ISLAND

  8 INDUSTRIAL DR., COVENTRY, RI, 02816

  Registry ID: 110032604938

• COSMED OF RHODE ISLAND

  8 INDUSTRIAL DR., COVENTRY, RI, 02816

  Registry ID: 110032604938

Statutes cited

• CAA 112 — Hazardous Air Pollutants

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• COSMED OF RHODE ISLANDentered 2002-02-21

  Primary law: CAA

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2002-02-21Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2002-02-21Final Order Issued
• 2002-03-12Enforcement Action Data Entered