Located in south Seattle, the firm had failed to report its hazardous chemicals and has also agreed to fully comply with federal emergency planning rules going forward, to protect workers in particular and the local community at large.
General Biodiesel produces biodiesel fuel and glycerol from used cooking oils, fish oil, vegetable oil and animal fats through a process that uses hazardous chemicals including methanol, sodium methoxide, and sulfuric acid.
Failure to report large amounts of hazardous chemicals to the Seattle fire department, King County emergency management, and Washington’s Emergency Response Commission is considered a violation of the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act.
EPA Seattle pesticides and toxics unit manager Kelly McFadden commented that a firm that the failure to report its hazardous chemicals put the employees and community at risk.
"This information is critical to alert federal, state, and local officials to prevent injuries or deaths to emergency responders, workers, and the local community," McFadden said.
