Idaho Frozen Food Company Pays EPA Penalty for Chemical Reporting Violations
Rhodes International, Inc. will pay over $84,000 to settle hazardous chemical reporting violations at its facility in Caldwell, Idaho, according to a consent agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The Rhodes facility produces frozen cinnamon rolls and other frozen bread products. According to the EPA, the facility stored large amounts of anhydrous ammonia without properly reporting it to the Caldwell Fire Department, Canyon County Local Emergency Planning Committee and the State Emergency Response Commission.
“Local emergency planners and responders rely on this information to do their jobs. It's critical information for them to protect the community and themselves when a dangerous chemical release occurs,” said Wally Moon, Preparedness and Prevention Unit Manager from the EPA Emergency Management Program in Seattle.
Anhydrous ammonia is a pungent, toxic gas that attacks skin, eyes, throat, and lungs and can cause serious injury or death.
According to documents, the company failed to file inventory forms with state and local emergency response entities from 2006 through 2009, as required by law.
The failure to report large amounts of anhydrous ammonia to appropriate agencies is a violation of the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA).