Govind Tekale
BCP Ingredients Inc.'s ethylene oxide leak persisted for seven hours straight in April 2022, exposing Missouri residents to hazardous air pollution - what went wrong at this animal feed additive plant?
Photo Source- Ion Ceban @ionelceban (Pexels)
Six critical Clean Air Act violations revealed after EPA's inspection showed broken alarms, missing emergency plans, and zero safety audits at the Verona facility.
Photo Source- Pixabay
$650,000 settlement includes a $300,000 penalty plus mandatory installation of new scrubber system to capture 16,550 pounds of toxic ethylene oxide emissions.
Photo Source- Asian Development Bank (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Local firefighters receive emergency equipment while Cox Health Foundation launches two mobile clinics serving Verona, Aurora, Monett, and surrounding counties.
Why did EPA specifically target this facility in an environmental justice community already facing increased exposure to multiple pollutants?
Photo Source- Mahmoud Nagi (Pexels)
Facility's broken EtO alarms failed to detect the dangerous chemical release, putting nearby residents at risk of immediate health effects and long-term cancer risks.
Photo Source- Comet Photo AG (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Settlement requires BCP to implement comprehensive facility improvements after EPA discovered the plant operating without basic safety documentation and procedures.
Photo Source- Virginia Guard Public Affairs (CC BY-NC 2.0)
How will the new mobile health clinics impact residents of Verona and surrounding communities affected by industrial pollution?
Photo Source- Aleksandr Slavich (Pexels)
Local residents have 30 days to comment before federal court finalizes this settlement addressing hazardous chemical risks in their community.
Photo Source- Uxud (CC BY-SA 3.0)