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EPA fines Del Monte $190,000

Hazardous waste was found in 2007 at the company's farm in Kunia

By Associated Press

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Sep 26, 2008

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HONOLULU » The Environmental Protection Agency yesterday fined Del Monte Fresh Produce Co. $190,000 for hazardous waste violations at its farm in Kunia.

The EPA said its inspectors in August 2007 found open and unlabeled containers of hazardous waste at the facility and evidence of a release of used oil. The facility also stored containers of hazardous waste without a permit and for longer than the maximum 90 days allowed by EPA rules.

At the time of the inspections, Del Monte already had ceased its pineapple operations.

The EPA said the company has corrected the violations and the facility no longer presents a potential risk to human health and the environment.

Del Monte did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.

"Companies must properly store and handle hazardous waste to protect the community, workers and the environment," said Jeff Scott, director of waste programs for the EPA's Pacific Southwest region.

Del Monte also was cited for:

» Failing to a have a response plan for hazardous waste and oil spills as well as an emergency response coordinator.

» Improperly managing other wastes, such as lead acid batteries.

» Maintaining inadequate hazardous waste training records for its staff.

» Improperly storing oil and labeling the containers.

This is the second EPA fine against Del Monte in as many years. Last year, the company was fined nearly $25,000 for improperly using pesticides at its Kunia farm in 2004 and 2005.

The violations came before the fruit grower announced in 2006 that it would shut down its Hawaii pineapple farm because it couldn't compete with lower-cost operations overseas.

The EPA said the company did not use a certified pesticide applicator for pesticide on Del Monte's fields nor did the company have anyone supervise pesticide use.

The company also failed to notify workers when the pesticide was being used and failed to provide workers with decontamination supplies, the agency said.

The investigation, which was triggered by worker complaints, found 28 violations, the agency said.

HONOLULU » The Environmental Protection Agency yesterday fined Del Monte Fresh Produce Co. $190,000 for hazardous waste violations at its farm in Kunia.

The EPA said its inspectors in August 2007 found open and unlabeled containers of hazardous waste at the facility and evidence of a release of used oil. The facility also stored containers of hazardous waste without a permit and for longer than the maximum 90 days allowed by EPA rules.

At the time of the inspections, Del Monte already had ceased its pineapple operations.

The EPA said the company has corrected the violations and the facility no longer presents a potential risk to human health and the environment.

Del Monte did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.

"Companies must properly store and handle hazardous waste to protect the community, workers and the environment," said Jeff Scott, director of waste programs for the EPA's Pacific Southwest region.

Del Monte also was cited for:

» Failing to a have a response plan for hazardous waste and oil spills as well as an emergency response coordinator.

» Improperly managing other wastes, such as lead acid batteries.

» Maintaining inadequate hazardous waste training records for its staff.

» Improperly storing oil and labeling the containers.

This is the second EPA fine against Del Monte in as many years. Last year, the company was fined nearly $25,000 for improperly using pesticides at its Kunia farm in 2004 and 2005.

The violations came before the fruit grower announced in 2006 that it would shut down its Hawaii pineapple farm because it couldn't compete with lower-cost operations overseas.

The EPA said the company did not use a certified pesticide applicator for pesticide on Del Monte's fields nor did the company have anyone supervise pesticide use.

The company also failed to notify workers when the pesticide was being used and failed to provide workers with decontamination supplies, the agency said.

The investigation, which was triggered by worker complaints, found 28 violations, the agency said.

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