Northeast Lamp Recycling, Inc., an E. Windsor, Conn. Facility Agrees to EPA Settlement for Mishandling of Light Ballasts with PCBs in its Recycling Operations

06/08/2016

Contact Information: 

David Deegan (deegan.david@epa.gov)

617-918-1017

BOSTON – An East Windsor, Conn., facility that handles solid waste has agreed to pay $23,000 and comply with federal law to settle claims by the US Environmental Protection Agency that it violated federal laws regulating toxic substances.
EPA's New England office alleged that Northeast Lamp Recycling, Inc. mishandled light ballasts with PCBs in its recycling operations, in violation of the federal Toxic Substances Control Act. Northeast Lamp Recycling receives light ballasts, some of which contain polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, as part of its recycling operation.
PCBs are a carcinogen and also pose a number of non-cancer adverse health effects in humans and animals. Under federal law, anyone disposing of PCBs must do so in accordance with federal environmental regulations. 
This case stemmed from a 2015 inspection of the facility by EPA. Inspectors found the facility was storing more PCB light ballasts than allowed, that some of the ballasts did not have the required out-of-service dates, and that the facility lacked the necessary secondary containment Northeast Lamp Recycling has since taken steps to ensure compliance with the regulations.
More information:

• EPA information on Waste and Chemical enforcement  (www.epa.gov/enforcement/waste-chemical-and-cleanup-enforcement)
• EPA information on PCBs (www.epa.gov/pcbs)