EPA v. RESEARCH ORGANICS LLC DBA SAFC CLEVELAND APO/CAFO

Case summary

Research Organics LLC (Research Organics), under the trade name Millipore Sigma, owns and operates a batch specialty chemical manufacturing facility (facility) in Cleveland, Ohio. At its facility, Research Organics manufactures biological buffer and amino acids. Research Organics emits methanol, hydrochloric acid, and other hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) in a combined quantity of over 25 tons per year, and is thus a major source of HAPs, as defined in Section 112(a) of the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7412(a). On June 28, 2018, EPA issued a Finding of Violation (FOV) to Research Organics, alleging violations of the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Miscellaneous Organic Chemical Manufacturing at 40 C.F.R. Part 63, Subpart FFFF (Subpart FFFF) and the NESHAP for Closed Vent Systems, Control Devices, Recovery Devices and Routing to a Fuel Gas System or a Process, at 40 C.F.R. Part 63, Subpart SS (Subpart SS). Specifically, Research Organics incorrectly classified their enclosed combustion device as a flare and failed to meet the applicable requirements for an enclosed combustion device. In settlement of this case, Research Organics agreed to comply with all applicable requirements of the NESHAP Subpart A, Subpart SS, and Subpart FFFF. Specifically, Research Organics will re-classify its control device, referred to as a flare in its current Title V permit, as an enclosed combustion device, and install a temperature monitoring device. As part of the settlement, Research Organics will pay a civil penalty of $47,500 to the United States.

Defendants (1)

• RESEARCH ORGANICS LLC DBA SAFC CLEVELANDNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• RESEARCH ORGANICS LLC

  4353 EAST 49TH STREET, CUYAHOGA HEIGHTS, OH, 44125

  Registry ID: 110000387420

Statutes cited

• CAA 112 — Hazardous Air Pollutants

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• RESEARCH ORGANICS LLC DBA SAFC CLEVELAND APO/CAFOentered 2021-01-21

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $47,500

Timeline (5 milestones)

• 2021-01-21Final Order Issued
• 2021-01-21Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2021-01-26Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2021-03-02Air Resolved
• 2021-03-02Enforcement Action Closed