BALTIMORE (June 2, 1999) - The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has assessed a $30,000 penalty as part of an enforcement settlement reached with FMC Corporation to address air quality violations stemming from an explosion at its Baltimore City pesticide production plant in May 1998.

FMC also has agreed to purchase and retire nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution credits for the summer of 1999. This action will reduce nitrogen oxides being emitted into the air. NOx contributes to the formation of the air pollutant ozone, for which Maryland does not meet federal health standards. The purchase and retirement of the NOx emission rights will be worth approximately $30,000, depending upon market value. The total value of the enforcement settlement is approximately $60,000.

Under a previous administrative order with MDE, FMC Corporation was required to implement corrective measures related to the explosion, including operator training, written operating procedures, equipment upgrades, and improved process controls and redundancy. The order further required FMC to utilize the services of a qualified independent consultant to perform a safety evaluation of other manufacturing processes at FMC's Baltimore plant and to implement recommended improvements.

###​