CHICAGO (Oct. 26, 2004) -- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 5 has reached an agreement with 3M Co. on alleged clean-air
violations at the company's chemical plant at 22614 Route 84 N.,
Cordova, Ill. EPA assessed a $27,500 penalty, and the company agreed
to complete a $135,000 environmental project.
"3M has agreed to protect the health of its neighbors in
the Cordova area by installing equipment that will cut its annual
toluene releases by at least 10 tons," said Acting Regional
Administrator Bharat Mathur. "We're pleased because this project
does more than the law requires."
The agreement resolves an EPA administrative complaint alleging,
among other things, that 3M failed to adequately test, monitor
and keep records of emissions of hazardous air pollutants, including
methanol, toluene and methyl ethyl ketone from pharmaceutical manufacturing
operations at the plant.
Under a separate agreement with EPA, 3M will test air pollution
control equipment and wastewater streams at the plant to assure
compliance with Clean Air Act regulations.
Short-term exposure to high concentrations of methyl ethyl ketone
can irritate the eyes, nose and throat and cause headache, nausea,
central nervous system depression and skin problems. Limited information
is available on chronic effects of methyl ethyl ketone in humans
from inhalation exposure.
Long-term exposure to low-to-moderate levels of toluene can cause
tiredness, confusion, weakness, memory loss, nausea and loss of
appetite, and hearing loss.
Long-term exposure to methanol may result in eye irritation, headache,
giddiness, sleeplessness, gastric and visual disturbances, and
blindness.
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