Merck settles charges of discharging pollutants

Sept. 30 -- Merck & Co. has agreed to pay a $1.5 million civil penalty to settle alleged violations of federal environmental laws at its pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities in Riverside, Pa., and West Point, Pa.

According to the U.S. EPA and the U.S. Department of Justice, the company agreed to the penalty after the agencies alleged that Merck discharged pollutants in excess of the limit set in its Clean Water Act permit, failed to notify local officials of hazardous substances released, failed to properly label and store hazardous waste, and did not comply with Clean Air Act emissions reporting.

The charges stem from a 2006 inspection. The company has already taken corrective actions, the EPA said in a statement.

Contact Waste & Recycling News reporter Jeremy Carroll at jcarroll@crain.com or 313-446-6780.

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