Icicle Seafoods settles clean air violations for leaks of ozone-depleting refrigerant

Press release:

Icicle Seafoods settles clean air violations for leaks of ozone-depleting refrigerant

Company agrees to repair leaks in vessels and processing facilities as part of settlement terms

Contact: Hanady Kader, EPA Public Affairs, 206-553-0454, kader.hanady@epa.gov

(Seattle—Aug. 10, 2012) Seattle-based Icicle Seafoods Inc. has agreed to resolve violations of the federal Clean Air Act resulting from leaks of an ozone-depleting refrigerant aboard its seafood vessels and in processing facilities, according to a consent decree lodged by the U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The company has agreed to repair leaks in its vessels and facilities, make repairs at a lower leak rate and pay a penalty.

“There is a clear link between the deterioration of the ozone layer and the release of certain substances used for refrigeration,” said Ed Kowalski, Director of the Office of Compliance and Enforcement at EPA’s Seattle office. “Companies using these chemicals in the course of business must do so responsibly by repairing leaks and preventing releases into the atmosphere.”

The settlement concerns the improper release and management of R-22, an ozone-depleting refrigerant used on the company’s vessels and at its seafood processing facilities. The consent decree, which includes Icicle Seafoods Inc. and several of its subsidiaries, was lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington in Seattle.

According to the settlement, the company had a series of Clean Air Act violations between 2006 and 2008 associated with the refrigerant R-22. The violations include:

• Failure to repair refrigerant leaks in a timely manner
• Failure to ensure adequate repairs to refrigeration appliances before resuming operation
• Failure to possess a certified refrigerant recovery device for use when performing service on refrigeration appliances
•  Inadequate records of repair service on refrigeration appliances

R-22 is among a set of refrigerants being phased out of use due to their high ozone depletion potential under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

Stratospheric ozone depletion can cause increased ultraviolet radiation to reach the Earth and has been linked to skin cancer, cataracts and impaired immune systems. It can also damage crops and reduce crop yields. Some scientists suggest that marine phytoplankton, the base of the ocean food chain, may be under stress from ultraviolet radiation.

Icicle Seafoods Inc. is a seafood processing company that harvests and processes salmon, crab, Pollock, halibut, Pacific cod, Black cod and fish roe. The company has agreed to pay a $430,000 penalty.

The consent decree was signed by Icicle Seafoods Inc., Evening Star Inc., Icicle Acquisition Subsidiary ILLC and LFK, Inc. The consent decree is available for public comment.

For additional information on ozone and ozone depleting substances, visit: http://www.epa.gov/oar/oaqps/gooduphigh/good.html#1

High Ozone Levels & Poor Air Quality Predicted for parts of New England Friday Aug. 3

News Release
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
New England Regional Office
August 2, 2012

Contact:  David Deegan, (617) 918-1017

High Ozone Levels & Poor Air Quality Predicted for parts of New England Friday Aug. 3
Most of Conn., Central Mass., coastal N.H.

(Boston, Mass. – August 2, 2012) – Unhealthy air quality is expected for most of Connecticut, central Massachusetts, and into coastal New Hampshire. The forecast for hot weather tomorrow is also expected to cause the demand for electricity in New England to reach high load levels.

“With more very hot summer weather coming tomorrow, EPA and the State environmental agencies are predicting unhealthy air quality in parts of New England,” said Curt Spalding, Administrator of EPA’s New England office.  “Everybody can help reduce smog-forming emissions by driving less, by using public transportation, and by setting air conditioner thermostats a few degrees higher.”

Exposure to elevated ozone levels can cause breathing problems, aggravate asthma and other pre-existing lung diseases, and make people more susceptible to respiratory infection.  When ozone levels are elevated, people should refrain from strenuous outdoor activity, especially sensitive populations such as children and adults with respiratory problems.


Ground-level ozone forms when volatile organic compounds and oxides of nitrogen (ozone precursors) interact in the presence of strong sunlight. Cars, trucks and buses give off the majority of the pollution create ozone.  Burning fossil fuels at electric generating units, particularly on hot days, also emit ozone precursors. Gasoline stations, print shops, household products like paints and cleaners, as well as lawn and garden equipment also add significantly to the ozone problem. 


When ozone is forecast to be unhealthy, EPA asks the public to take action. The public can help reduce ozone by:


- Using public transportation, car pooling and/or combining trips;
- Avoiding the use of small gasoline powered engines, such as lawn mowers and tractors, chain saws, power washers, string trimmers and leaf blowers.


Due to tomorrow’s forecast of hot weather, the demand for electricity in New England is forecast to reach high load levels. Given the ozone and high load forecasts, EPA is asking homeowners and employers to make a special effort to reduce their electricity consumption. EPA asks employers to consider asking their employees to dress casually and turn their air conditioning to a higher temperature setting and turn off any unnecessary lights and computers when not in use.  Homeowners also are urged to turn their air conditioner to a higher temperature setting, turn off unnecessary lights and appliances, such as televisions, computers, or lights during the day, and to defer household activities like laundry until later hours.


The ozone standard is 0.075 parts per million (ppm) on an 8-hour average basis. Air quality alerts are issued when ozone concentrations exceed, or are predicted to exceed, this level. So far this year, there have been 18 days in New England when ozone concentrations have exceeded the standard. (A preliminary list of this summer’s unhealthy readings can be found at http://www.epa.gov/region1/airquality/o3exceed-12.html)


EPA and the New England states provide real-time ozone data and air quality forecasts at www.epa.gov/ne/aqi. This website can also be used to sign up to receive free air quality alerts by e-mail when poor air quality is predicted for a particular area. National real-time air quality data from AirNow is also available on smart phones with free iPhone and Android apps, available for download at http://www.airnow.gov/.

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New EPA study published in Circulation, a Journal of the American Heart Association (AHA), finds a connection between ozone exposure and heart risk.

Press release:

New EPA study published in Circulation, a Journal of the American Heart Association (AHA), finds a connection between ozone exposure and heart risk.

Read the AHA press release about the EPA study:

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-06/aha-nel062012.php

or go to EPA's Air Research Web page: http://www.epa.gov/research/airscience

EPA Takes Next Step to Implement 2008 Ozone Standards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMay 1, 2012

EPA Takes Next Step to Implement 2008 Ozone Standards

Most areas that need to take steps to reduce ozone pollution are close to meeting the standards; only three new areas have been added


 WASHINGTON – Working closely with states and tribes, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is identifying areas that meet or do not meet the 2008 air quality standards for ground-level ozone, known as smog. The agency’s approach to implementing these standards will improve air quality, protect public health, increase certainty for states and tribes, maximize flexibilities and minimize the burden on state, tribal and local governments. Breathing air containing high levels of smog can reduce lung function and increase respiratory symptoms, aggravating asthma or other respiratory conditions. Ozone exposure may also contribute to premature death, especially in people with heart and lung disease.

In 2008, EPA set new smog standards at 75 parts per billion. Working with states and tribes and following an open public process that included a 45-day public comment period, EPA has determined that 45 areas across the country, including two separate areas of Indian country, are not meeting the 2008 standards based on the most recent certified air quality data. Almost all of these areas already have programs in place to improve air quality because they did not meet the 1997 smog standards. Only three areas will be identified for the first time as not meeting smog standards. Reflecting ongoing improvements in air quality, EPA is identifying fewer areas that do not meet the 2008 standards than the agency identified as not meeting the 1997 standards.

Reducing smog and improving air quality is a shared responsibility of federal, state, local and tribal governments. National clean air programs such as EPA’s standards to reduce power plant emissions that cross state lines, clean vehicle and fuel standards, and more locally focused state, tribal air quality programs are already contributing to air quality improvements. These actions will help areas meet the standards and protect public health. In addition, EPA expects that most areas would be able to meet the 2008 standards as a result of recent and pending rules.

The Clean Air Act requires EPA to review and, if necessary, revise air quality standards every five years to ensure that they protect public health with an adequate margin of safety. Following a change in standards, EPA works with states and tribes as appropriate to identify areas that do not meet the standards and establish plans to improve air quality. EPA continues to work to review the science needed to inform the next five-year review of the smog standards and currently expects to propose action in 2013.

 More about final designations throughout the country: http://www.epa.gov/ozonedesignations/2008standards/index.htm

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