AQ_F_0100010_20211109_CMPL_NOV-NRE

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ROY COOPE1
Governor
ELIZABETH S.B1SER
Sec:r'c>tclry z cf 2:AM
MICHAEL ABRACZINSKAS NORTH C.AROLINA
Director Environmental Quality
November 9,2021
CERTIFIED MAIL NUMBER 7019 1120 0001 5504 5540
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
Kirk Yarbrough
Stericycle,Inc.
1168 Porter Ave
Haw River,NC 27258
SUBJECT: Notice of Violation and Notice of Recommendation for Enforcement
Stericycle,Inc.
Haw River,North Carolina
Alamance County
04-0100010-Title V Air Permit No. 05896T25
Dear Mr. Yarbrough:
On October 28, 2021 this office received a letter from Don Nuss detailing an incident that
occurred at the above referenced facility. Per the correspondence,the facility experienced an event on
October 15, 2021, with a total duration of 12 minutes during which the control system for one of the
hospital,medical, and infectious waste incinerators(HMIWI) (Emission Source ID No. ES01)was
bypassed. The bypass was caused by an absorber pump motor failure,which led to a loss of flow through
the absorber and high absorber temperatures. This resulted in the bypass stack opening for 12 minutes.
This bypass stack event is a violation of 15A NCAC 2D .1206 "Hospital, Medical, and Infectious
Waste Incinerators" as referenced by Condition 2.1.A.2.o of Air Quality Permit 05896T25. Per 2D
.1206(d)(4),the rule incorporates by reference 40 CFR 60.56c, part of 40 CFR 60 Subpart Ec"Standards
of Performance for New Stationary Sources: Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators."Per 40
CFR 60.56c(f)(6), "Use of the bypass stack shall constitute a violation of the PM,dioxin/furan, HC1, Pb,
Cd and Hg emission limits." The facility previously received Notices of Violation on October 14, 2021,
April 15, 2021, December 2, 2020, September 25, 2020, April 20,2020, September 11,2019,July 16,
2019, May 18,2018,November 7, 2017, April 21, 2017, October 24,2016, and November 2,2015 for
uses of the bypass stacks.
Each day that you continue to operate in violation of 15A NCAC 02D .1206 may constitute an
additional violation. Each violation is subject to enforcement action,including a civil penalty of up to
$25,000 and/or injunctive relief, pursuant to North Carolina General Statute(NCGS) 143-215.114A or
permit revocation as authorized by NCGS 143-215.108(b)(3). You may wish to contact the Division of
Environmental Assistance and Customer Service at 1-877-623-6748 if you need assistance.
North Carolina i.7epantnent of'Envir-onmental Quality 1 Division of Air Quality
Winston-Salem Regional Of`Fiue 1 450 West Hanes Mill(toad,Suites 300 j Winston-Salem,North Carolina 2710:5
Drpartttu:ntoffnairnt,ml:ntallWality 336-776-9800T 336,776.9797E'

Mr. Yarbrough
November 9,2021
Page 2
We have prepared a report detailing this violation and intend to forward it to the Division of Air
Quality staff in Raleigh. The report concludes with a recommendation by this office for enforcement
action for the violation of 15A NCAC 02D .1206. If you wish to present an explanation for the cited
violation or if you believe there are other factors which should be considered, please send the information
to me in writing within 10 days following receipt of this letter. The information will be reviewed and, if
an enforcement action is still deemed appropriate,your explanation will be forwarded to the Director with
the enforcement package for his consideration.
Please contact Davis Murphy at 336-776-9644 (�jgvis.11 q e rr),ngdenr.g() )or me if you have
any questions.
Sincerely,
T. Ray Stew , J P. , CPM, Re nal Supervisor
Division of Air lity,NCDEQ
c: Don Nuss, Regional Compliance Manager(via email)
WSRO county file
WSRO enforcement file