Source: The Boston Globe, May 28, 2014
Posted on: http://envfpn.advisen.com
Four Massachusetts laboratory companies have collectively agreed to pay $1.75 million in penalties to settle allegations that they failed to control their emissions of hazardous air pollutants, the office of Attorney General Martha Coakley said.
Under the four consent judgments, entered Tuesday along with four complaints in Suffolk Superior Court, the labs must also comply with state permitting requirements and install emission control equipment, Coakley’s office said.
The companies perform services such as testing drinking water.
According to Coakley’s press release, the four companies are Alpha Analytical Inc. of Westborough; Accutest Laboratories of New England Inc., which has a lab facility in Marlborough; Spectrum Analytical Inc., which operates a facility in Agawam; and Con-Test Analytical Laboratory, which operates a facility in East Longmeadow.
Alpha declined to comment.
In an e-mail, Accutest chief executive Gene Malloy wrote, We have cooperated fully with the Massachusetts attorney general to address the issue raised at our Marlborough facility and are voluntarily undertaking a review of all our laboratories across the country to ensure that we meet and exceed these commitments.
Attempts to reach Spectrum and Con-Test were not immediately successful.
Massachusetts officials alleged the companies violated the states Public Health Law by operating as major sources of hazardous pollution without required state permits and approvals.
With this settlement, hazardous emissions from these laboratories will be greatly reduced, said David W. Cash, commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Protection .
Alpha Analytical, which operates a facility in Mansfield as well as in Westborough, will pay $700,000 to settle allegations it violated state regulations, the Clean Waters Act, and the Hazardous Waste Management Act, Coakley’s office said.
The other three firms have each agreed to pay $350,000, Coakley’s office said.