SoCal semiconductor firm promotes air monitoring as part of U.S. EPA settlement

SAN FRANCISCO - Under the terms of a recent settlement agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Jazz Semiconductors of Newport Beach, Calif., will initiate a project promoting awareness of hazardous waste air emissions requirements in the semiconductor industry.

Jazz Semiconductors will spend at least $22,500 to sponsor educational training for the semiconductor industry as well as pay $3,750 to resolve alleged instances of non-compliance with federal hazardous waste requirements.

“The EPA is pleased that Jazz Semiconductors has agreed to undertake these efforts to promote awareness,” said Nancy Lindsay, Waste Management Division Acting Director for EPAs Pacific Southwest region. “We are optimistic that Jazzs outreach will help semiconductor firms comply with federal regulations.”

Located at 4321 Jamboree Road, Jazz Semiconductors is an independent semiconductor manufacturer.

Under federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act air emissions standards, equipment that contains or contacts hazardous wastes must be distinguishable from other equipment, must be monitored using specific devices to detect any emissions and detailed records must be maintained.

In August 2005, the EPA inspected Jazz Semiconductors to verify compliance with federal hazardous waste regulations. Based on this inspection, the EPA alleges that Jazz Semiconductors failed to comply with the air emissions standards for equipment leaks by not monitoring with the proper devices, and not properly labeling the equipment that contains or contacts hazardous waste. The EPA also alleged that Jazz failed to maintain the firms contingency plan with up to date information.

Jazz Semiconductors has since updated its contingency plan, labeled the subject equipment and instituted procedures to ensure the appropriate records are kept demonstrating the facilitys full compliance with the air emissions standards for equipment leaks.