AQ_F_0100010_20190716_CMPL_NOV-NRE (4)

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ROY COOPER NORTH CAROLINA
Governor Environmental Quality
MICHAEL S.REGAN
Secretary
MICHAEL ABRACZINSKAS
Director
July 16, 2019
CERTIFIED MAIL NUMBER 7010 0780 0002 0107 0227
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 May 8,2019, 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 April 22,2019,
with a total duration of eleven minutes during which the control system for one of the hospital, medical,
and infectious waste incinerators(HMIWI) (Emission Source ID No. ESO1) was bypassed. The event was
the result of a short in the light located on top of the ash hoe electrical panel, which caused a blown fuse in
the main control panel for the stack cap. The blown fuse activated an uninterruptable power supply(UPS)
system, which continued to deliver power to the control panel as designed. When the batteries in the UPS
system were exhausted, the control systems failed, and the bypass stack cap was opened. This bypass
stack event is a violation of 15A NCAC 2D .1206"Hospital, Medical, and Infectious Waste Incinerators"
as referenced by Condition 2.I.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 May 18, 2018,November 7, 2017, April
21, 2017, October 24, 2016, and November 2, 2015 for use of the bypass stack.
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) 143-215.1 14A 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.
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North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I-Division of Air Quality -
Winston-Salem Regional Office 1 450 West Hanes Mill Road Suite 300 I Winston-Salem,North Carolina 27105
336.776.9800 T : 336.776,9797 F

Mr. Yarbrough
July 16, 2019
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 Condition 2.1.A.2.o. 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 Taylor Hartsfield or me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
'A` Skuv�L-,--
Lisa Edwards, P.E„ Regional Supervisor
Division of Air Quality,NCDEQ
c: Don Nuss, Regional Compliance Manager
WSRO county file
WSRO enforcement file MrH