DNREC News - DNREC Issues Notice of $40,000 Administrative Penalty to Rodel, Inc. for Air Permit Violations

March 1, 2001
Vol. 30, No. 60

For more information, contact Ali Mirzakhlaili, Air Quality Management, 302-323-4542; or Melinda Carl, Information and Education, 302-739-4506

DNREC Issues Notice of $40,000 Administrative Penalty to Rodel, Inc. for Air Permit Violations

Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Nicholas A. DiPasquale has issued a Notice of a $40,000 Administrative Penalty Assessment and Order to Rodel, Inc. for two separate releases of methylethylketone (MEK), acetone, and dimethylformamide (DMF) into the atmosphere in violation of its permit. The company was also assessed $2,000 in costs.

Rodel operates a facility at 451 Bellevue Road, Newark, where it manufactures polishing pads and slurries for the semiconductor, electronics and glass industries. Rodel acquired an air permit from DNREC in March 1998 for operation of an incinerator for control of MEK and DMF emissions.

The company was assessed the administrative penalty for the following two releases that occurred after Rodel personnel failed on both occasions to properly position the incinerator emergency isolation damper:

July 7, 1998 - Rodel reported a release of approximately 800 pounds of MEK, 40 pounds of acetone and five pounds of DMF into the atmosphere during a period of seven hours and 15 minutes.
July 1, 1999 - Rodel reported a release of approximately 287 pounds of MEK, 19 pounds of acetone and two pounds of DMF into the atmosphere during a period of three hours and 43 minutes.

MEK and DMF are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are precursors to ozone formation and are also hazardous air pollutants. Acetone is a commonly used solvent which is not considered to be a VOC. There were no significant environmental or public health impacts associated with these events.

Rodel has 30 days to request a public hearing on the penalty assessment.

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