AQ_F_0100010_20211014_CMPL_NOV-NRE

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ELIZABETH S. BISER ,, ,
secretctry
MICHAEL ABRACZINSKAS NORTH CAROLINA
Director Environmental Quality
October 14, 2021
CERTIFIED MAIL NUMBER 7019 1120 0001 5504 5700
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
Kirk Yarbrough
Stericycle, Inc.
1 168 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 September 27, 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
September 15, 2021, with a total duration of three minutes during which the control system for one of the
hospital, medical, and infectious waste incinerators(HMIWI) (Emission Source ID No. ES02) was
bypassed. The bypass was caused when the lead operator mistakenly shut off the scrubber on this
incinerator, which resulted in the bypass stack opening for three 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 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 2D .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.
DENorth Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Air Quality
Winston-Salem Regional Office ( 450 West Hanes Mill Road,suite 300 i Winston-salem,North Carolina 27105
0+spartau:nt nt F.nvirunmt:ntal quality 336-776-9800 i ! 336.776.97971=

Mr. Yarbrough
October 14, 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 2D .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 (c7 -.i,s.ii p -!i, <crr g .)or me if you have
any questions.
Sincerely,
AJr. P. ., CPM, R i 1 Supervisor
ir lity,NCDEQ
c: Don Nuss, Regional Compliance Manager(via email)
WSRO county file
WSRO enforcement fileRs