In an important move towards environmental safety, two major food and beverage companies in the Bay Area, Watsonville-based Del Mar Food Products Corp. and S. Martinelli & Co., have reached settlements with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for mishandling of the toxic refrigerant anhydrous ammonia, as reported by Mercury News. These companies, which employ a significant number of South Santa Clara County workers, have since updated their equipment and paid combined hundreds of thousands of dollars in penalties.
Anhydrous ammonia, used as a refrigerant at various food and beverage production facilities, is toxic and can result in everything from severe respiratory injuries to death if handled improperly. Therefore, ensuring its proper management is essential to protecting workers' and public safety. EPA flagged both companies during inspections in September 2021, claiming violations of the Clean Air Act as well as the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act.
Del Mar Foods, which produces frozen fruits and vegetables, and S. Martinelli & Co., known for its apple cider and juice products, were both found to have improperly managed their anhydrous ammonia handling. Del Mar Foods is also responsible for one minor release during the inspection, and eleven “nuisance releases” that occurred without injury reports as noted in an official EPA press release. S. Martinelli & Co. was found to have failed to properly plan with local emergency responders for a possible ammonia release. Consequently, the EPA held both companies accountable for noncompliance with environmental laws.
Joshua Alexander, an EPA spokesperson, shared in an email that there are historically around 150 catastrophic accidents at ammonia refrigeration facilities, resulting in fatalities, serious injuries, evacuations, and other harm to human health and the environment. It is thus essential to take preventive measures and address these risks.
Since the investigations, both companies have repaired and upgraded damaged equipment as well as implemented safety policies to improve their handling of anhydrous ammonia. Del Mar Foods confirmed the completion of all corrective action items months ago and will pay a settlement of $131,420 to the EPA, per Mercury News.
S. Martinelli & Co. is still in the process of updating its facility and is committed to paying $127,828 in penalties. As part of their dedication to addressing the consequences of the mishandling, the company has also agreed to purchase $67,000 worth of emergency response equipment for the Watsonville Fire Department. However, they have declined to provide a statement thus far.
