U.S. EPA settles hazardous waste case with Amgen Inc.

SAN FRANCISCO – Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fined Amgen Inc. in Thousand Oaks, Calif. $24,328 for violations of federal hazardous waste handling laws.

Amgen, a human therapeutics company in the biotechnology industry, failed to monitor or inspect hazardous waste tanks and equipment as required by the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

“Companies that handle toxic wastes need to manage them properly not only to protect the environment, but to ensure public safety,” said Nancy Lindsay, acting Waste Management division director for the EPA’s Pacific Southwest region. “This facility was quick to own up to these infractions and fix the problems to comply with the law.”

In November 2005, EPA inspectors observed Amgen had failed to monitor or inspect some of its hazardous waste tanks and equipment, and also failed to comply with recordkeeping requirements as specified by California’s hazardous waste management program. The violations included failure to comply with air emission standards for equipment leaks and failure to comply with air emission standards for tanks and containers.

Firms that handle hazardous waste must engage in proper waste handling and storage to prevent spills and safeguard worker health. The EPA’s Resource Conservation and Recovery Act program oversees the safe management and disposal of hazardous waste.