EPA v. ABBOTT LABS - N. CHICAGO PLANT

Case summary

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5 entered into an Administrative Penalty Order/Consent Agreement and Final Order (APO/CAFO) under the Clean Air Act with Abbott Laboratories (Abbott) for their facility located at 1401 Sheridan Road in North Chicago, Illinois. U.S. EPA issued a Notice of Violation/Finding of Violation to Abbot for non-compliance with the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Pharmaceuticals Production, specifically for not reducing dichloromethane emissions from a process vent by 98 percent. Abbot was also cited for not operating and maintaining their pharmaceutical manufacturing process emission sources and carbon bed adsorption system in a manner consistent with safety and good air pollution control practices for minimizing emissions. Pursuant to the APO/CAFO, Abbott will pay a settlement penalty of $10,155, which takes into consideration Abbott’s cooperation in this matter, return to compliance and an agreement to carry out a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) at a cost of $185,000. The SEP entails replacing approximately 300 lighting fixtures with more energy efficient fixtures, including installation of light-emitting diode bulbs. Abbott’s implementation of this SEP will increase its energy efficiency and reduce its energy needs, and, as a result, the coal-fired power plant providing energy to Abbott will emit less carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen, particulate matter and mercury.

Defendants (1)

• ABBOTT LABS - N. CHICAGO PLANTNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (6)

• ABBVIE INC

  1401 SHERIDAN RD, NORTH CHICAGO, IL, 60064

  Registry ID: 110041188773

• ABBVIE INC

  1401 SHERIDAN RD, NORTH CHICAGO, IL, 60064

  Registry ID: 110041188773

• ABBVIE INC

  1401 SHERIDAN RD, NORTH CHICAGO, IL, 60064

  Registry ID: 110041188773

• ABBVIE INC

  1401 SHERIDAN RD, NORTH CHICAGO, IL, 60064

  Registry ID: 110041188773

• ABBVIE INC

  1401 SHERIDAN RD, NORTH CHICAGO, IL, 60064

  Registry ID: 110041188773

• ABBVIE INC

  1401 SHERIDAN RD, NORTH CHICAGO, IL, 60064

  Registry ID: 110041188773

Statutes cited

• CAA 502 — Operating Permits (Title V)
• CAA 112 — Hazardous Air Pollutants

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• ABBOTT LABS - N. CHICAGO PLANTentered 2011-12-14

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $10,155 · SEP: $125,601

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2011-12-14Final Order Issued
• 2011-12-14Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2012-01-30Enforcement Action Data Entered