WILLIAMSPORT – The Department of Environmental Protection has fined Environmental Transport Group Inc. of Flanders, N.J., $15,000 after police discovered a leaking drum of hazardous waste on one of its tractor trailers last summer.
The truck was traveling along Interstate 80 in Greene Township, Clinton County.
“The Pennsylvania State Police stopped a tractor trailer because of odors coming from the trailer and a leaking load,” said DEP Northcentral Regional Director Robert Yowell. “An investigation by DEP found a small hole near the bottom of a drum containing Isopropanol.”
Isopropanol, commonly used as an industrial solvent, is a characteristic hazardous waste because of its ignitability.
The tractor trailer was transported to a hazardous waste contractor near Milesburg, Centre County, where a patch made of cardboard and tape was found on the floor of the trailer next to the leaking drum.
“Environmental Transport Group Inc. should have inspected the load prior to transporting it as required,” Yowell said. “If they had done so, they would have prevented this hazardous waste release. This was an irresponsible decision that could have had significant environmental consequences.”
The company’s actions violated numerous provisions of the Pennsylvania Solid Waste Management Act. DEP cited Environmental Transport Group for failing to:
· Manage a hazardous waste properly;
· Comply with applicable state rules and regulations;
· Utilize a proper container when transporting hazardous waste;
· Implement a contingency plan; and
· Take immediate steps to contain the hazardous waste leak.
The leaking drum was over-packed and placed back on the trailer for transportation to a hazardous waste recycling facility in Ohio.
Environmental Transport Group Inc. will pay the fine in three installments. The money will go to the commonwealth’s Solid Waste Abatement Fund, which is used to help pay for clean-up projects across the state.
For more information on hazardous waste transportation, visit online, keyword: HW trans.
