Companies That Used Ammonia in California Pay Large Sum of Money for Alleged Clean Air Act Chemical Safety Violations

Last month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced settlements with multiple companies for alleged violations of Clean Air Act chemical release prevention requirements at four anhydrous ammonia facilities in Central California. The companies will pay over $800,000 in civil penalties and make safety improvements to their facilities, with the goal of protecting the public and first responders from dangerous chemicals.

According to the EPA, thousands of facilities nationwide make, use, and store extremely hazardous substances, including anhydrous ammonia. Catastrophic accidents at ammonia refrigeration facilities, historically about 150 each year, resulting in fatalities and serious injuries, evacuations, and other harm to human health and the environment.

Ammonia is a chemical compound that is both made by humans and naturally found in the environment. It is comprised of one part nitrogen and three parts hydrogen. A significant amount of ammonia is produced for use as fertilizer. It is also used as an industrial refrigerant and to manufacture synthetic fibers, plastics, explosives, and other materials. In the home and workplace, several cleaning products contain ammonia in the form of ammonium ions.

“Occupational exposure to ammonia typically occurs through inhalation or skin contact,” said Joseph Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at LA Testing. “It is an irritant and even at low levels may cause concern for some people with asthma and other health conditions. Ammonia is also corrosive and exposure to high concentrations can be fatal. LA Testing offers industrial hygiene and environmental laboratory testing services and sampling supplies to detect ammonia exposure risks.”

LA Testing sponsored an educational video about ammonia and exposure risks that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/JX6wPV4JHJ4.

To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health, and safety services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email  info@LATesting.com , or call (800) 755-1794.


About LA Testing
LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash, and smoke damage, particulates, and other chemicals.  In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health, and other states.  LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro, San Diego, and Ontario.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

LA Testing

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail