CHICAGO (April 23, 2004) — U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency Region 5 has reached an agreement with Southwest General
Health Center, 18697 Bagley Road, Middleburgh Heights, Ohio, on
alleged clean-air violations at the center's medical waste incinerator.
"As part of the agreement, Southwest will protect the health
of its neighbors by carrying out a mercury thermometer exchange
in 11 surrounding communities," said Acting Regional Administrator
Bharat Mathur. Mathur said the exchange will cost the center at
least $37,500. This is in addition to a civil penalty of $12,500.
Companies and institutions that violate the Clean Air Act may
voluntarily propose environmental projects as part of their settlements.
EPA may reduce monetary penalties if it believes a project will
cut pollution significantly and goes beyond what is required by
EPA regulations.
The settlement resolves an EPA allegation that Southwest violated
the dioxin and furan emission standard for hospital medical waste
incinerators. Southwest has permanently shut down its incinerator
and is sending its medical waste to another facility.
Exposure to high doses of dioxins can cause severe skin lesions,
usually on the head and upper body. There is also evidence that
dioxins may cause liver damage and probably cause cancer in humans.
Furans can irritate and burn the skin and eyes. They can also damage
the liver and kidneys and may cause cancer in humans.
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