AQ_F_0100010_20201202_CMPL_NOV-NRE (4)

ROY COOPER NORTH CAROLINA
Governor Environmental Quality
MICHAEL S.RECAN - -
Secretary
MICHAEL ABRACZINSKAS
Director December 2, 2020
CERTIFIED MAIL NUMBER 7019 1120 0001 5504 6516
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
Kirk Yarbrough
Stericycle, Inc.
1 168 Porter Avenue
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 27, 2020 and November 23, 2020, this office received letters from Don Nuss
detailing two incidents that occurred at the above referenced facility. Per the correspondence, the facility
experienced an event on October 22, 2020, 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. ESO 1)was bypassed. The bypass was caused by a fault in the programmable logic controller(PLC)
which resulted in a control power loss. At the time of the event, personnel immediately cleared the fault,
restarted the air pollution control (APC) system to close the bypass stack,and placed Unit 1 in shut down.
After the shutdown was completed, the facility investigated, identified,and replaced a faulty I/O card
within the PLC. The incinerator and APC system were restarted and resumed normal operations.
The facility experienced another event on November 13, 2020,with a total duration of three
minutes during which the control system for the other HMIWI (Emission Source ID No. ES02)was
bypassed. The bypass was caused by a faulty level controller in the cooling tower which caused high
temperature in the absorber. Immediately upon detection, facility personnel restarted the APC system to
close the bypass stack, and placed Unit 2 in shut down. After the shutdown was completed,the facility
investigated and identified the faulty level controller and replaced it. The incinerator was thereafter
restarted and resumed normal operations.
Both bypass stack events are violations 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,
HCl, Pb, Cd and Hg emission limits." The facility previously received Notices of Violation on September
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Ueuartment of Envfloalneniai quality i
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North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Air Quality
Winston-Salem RecJional Office 1 450 West Hanes Mill Road,Suite 300 ! Winston-Salem.North Carolina 27105
336,776.9800 T '•: 336,776 9797 f

Mr. Yarbrough
December 2, 2020
Page 2
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.
We have prepared a report detailing these violations 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 violations of 15A NCAC 2D .1206. If you wish to present an explanation for the cited
violations 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 Taylor Hartsfield at 336-776-9639 ([e-mail]) or me if you
have any questions.
Sincerely,
r
T. Ray Stew rt, I.E., CPM, Regio 1 Supervisor
Division of At uality,NCDEQ
c: Don Nuss, Regional Compliance Manager(via email)
WSRO county file
WSRO enforcement file HTH