Pharmaceutical chemical maker faces $250,000 fine for environmental violations

COVENTRY, R.I. — Pharmaceutical chemical manufacturer Rhodes Technologies Inc. faces a penalty of more than $250,000 over allegations that it violated federal hazardous waste laws, according to a press release.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) alleges Rhodes Technologies violated the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and its implementing regulations by failing to obtain required tank integrity assessments or provide secondary containment for seven of its hazardous waste tanks; failing to label pipes and other equipment associated with the tanks as being in hazardous waste service; and failing to perform required compliance inspections.

Rhodes also failed to properly determine whether certain wastes were hazardous, failed to have a complete emergency response plan and failed to segregate incompatible hazardous wastes, according to the complaint.