EPA v. MERITUS MEDICAL CENTER

Case summary

On March 08, 2024, EPA Region 3 filed an Expedited Settlement Agreement and Final Order, simultaneously commencing and concluding an administrative action proceeding against Meritus Medical Center (?MMC?) located at 11116 Medical Campus Road, Hagerstown, Maryland 21742 ( Facility ) for alleged violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act ( RCRA ) and the authorized State of Maryland Hazardous Waste Management Program discovered during EPA?s compliance evaluation inspection of the Facility on May 16 - 17, 2023 . RCRA gives EPA the authority to control hazardous waste from the ?cradle-to-grave.? This includes the generation, transportation, treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous waste. To that end, EPA develops regulations, guidance and policies that ensure the safe management and cleanup of solid and hazardous waste, and programs that encourage source reduction and beneficial reuse. MMC is a 300-bed community acute hospital. Hazardous waste is mainly generated through its pharmaceutical procedures. The violations in the settlement include operation without a hazardous waste permit, failure to make a waste determination at the point of generation, failure to have adequate aisle space in the hazardous waste accumulation area, failure to properly label/date universal waste batteries and lamps, failure to properly train required personnel in hazardous waste management, failure to submit the 2019 biennial report by March 1, 2020, and failure to have the required content in the contingency plan. Region 3 notified MDE, which had no objections to this action. Per the terms of the Expediated Settlement Agreement, Merck will pay a civil penalty in the amount of $11,250.00.

Defendants (1)

• MERITUS MEDICAL CENTERNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• MERITUS MEDICAL CENTER

  11116 MEDICAL CAMPUS DR, HAGERSTOWN, MD, 21742-6710

  Registry ID: 110043191818

Statutes cited

• RCRA 3002 — Standards Applicable to Generators of Hazardous Waste

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• MERITUS MEDICAL CENTERentered 2024-03-08

  Primary law: RCRA

  Federal penalty: $11,250

Timeline (4 milestones)

• 2024-03-08Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2024-03-08Final Order Issued
• 2024-03-21Enforcement Action Closed
• 2024-04-10Enforcement Action Data Entered