Monsanto: release of hazardous chemicals
The federal agencies said that Monsanto did not report hundreds of releases of hazardous substances from its phosphate plant in eastern Idaho near Soda Springs from 2006 to 2009, as they are required to do by law.
Monsanto has agreed to pay the $600,000 fine.
Gases they released into the atmosphere included hydrogen cyanide, sulfur dioxide, mercury and nitrogen oxides, all of which are considered dangerous.
“Each of these chemicals are hazardous and can pose serious health risks to workers and the community if mishandled or released in an uncontrolled manner,” the federal statement said.
Standards not exceeded
For their part, Monsanto said in a statement that none of the releases exceeded federal or state laws and noted that the federal government was not accusing them of going beyond standards. They insist they have the public uppermost in mind.
“Protection of our employees, public health and the environment is always our No. 1 priority,” Monsanto said. “As a long-time neighbor within the Soda Springs community, we care deeply about public health and the quality of our air, land and water, and we are committed to complying fully and transparently with all applicable laws and regulations.”
The EPA told media the company is now complying with the law. That does not mean, however, that such chemicals are not being released into the atmosphere from the plant, but only that they are not exceeding limits and that the company is reporting the releases.
Monsanto is now compiling the incidents in which hazardous chemicals are released and reporting them to the EPA on a yearly basis.
