In a significant environmental development, a medical waste incinerator firm has confessed to multiple environmental violations, and they’ve agreed to pay a substantial fine of $1.75 million.
The charges against the company, Curtis Bay Energy, stem from the operations of a prominent Medical Waste Incinerator situated in south Baltimore
State prosecutors in Maryland have accused the facility of subjecting the public to biohazardous materials, drawing attention to a critical public health concern. The medical waste incinerator firm is known to handle medical waste from hospitals, laboratories, and various medical facilities. Typically, this waste is incinerated to ash before being safely disposed of in landfills, ensuring the prevention of disease transmission. However, state officials revealed on Tuesday, during a press conference announcing the settlement, that Curtis Bay Energy consistently overloaded its incinerators, leading to the improper disposal of medical waste in landfills.
The $1.75 million fine on the medical waste incinerator firm, one of the largest environmental penalties in Maryland’s history, includes provisions for pollution mitigation efforts in south Baltimore’s Curtis Bay neighborhood. This community has been grappling with environmental degradation due to the presence of various industrial facilities along the Patapsco River.
Court documents presented photographs indicating substantial amounts of unburned medical waste, including surgical gloves, medical supplies, and bedding
In one alarming instance, investigators followed a waste shipment to a Virginia landfill, witnessing the leakage of fluids along the way, which contaminated their vehicles.
This case has highlighted the grave threat Curtis Bay Energy‘s actions posed to public health and is seen as a win for the environmental justice movement. The company, now under new ownership, has cooperated with the state’s investigation into past violations. They have also pledged to enhance preventative maintenance and workforce training, demonstrating their commitment to the community.
The settlement mandates a payment of $1 million to the Maryland Clean Water Fund and an additional $750,000 for environmental cleanup initiatives in the Curtis Bay area. The company has pleaded guilty to 40 counts, including numerous violations of its refuse disposal permit. The former director of operations has also admitted to the charges, while the former manager’s case is pending. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott views this settlement as a crucial step in addressing environmental injustices that have afflicted underserved communities.
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