CONCORD, N.H. (Legal Newsline) - New Hampshire Attorney General Joseph Foster and Department of Environmental Services Commissioner Thomas Burack announced a $205,000 settlement Friday with Catholic Medical Center to resolve allegations of hazardous waste violations.
The Hillsborough County Superior Court approved the settlement to resolve allegations that Catholic Medical Center failed to identify certain pharmaceutical wastes as hazardous wastes before shipping the wastes to facilities unauthorized to accept hazardous wastes.
State and federal regulations specifically list 30 pharmaceuticals as hazardous waste with numerous other pharmaceuticals considered to be hazardous due to their characteristics. New Hampshire law requires that hazardous waste be handled and disposed of in accordance with the state's Hazardous Waste Rules to prevent harm to the environment or human health.
The DES alleged in October 2010 that Catholic Medical Center engaged in shipping certain pharmaceutical hazardous wastes to unauthorized facilities. Catholic Medical Center also allegedly engaged in the improper handling of two other types of hazardous waste and failed to follow certain hazardous waste management requirements.
Catholic Medical Center was cooperative throughout the matter and quickly corrected violations identified by the DES. The consent decree assessed Catholic Medical Center a total penalty of $205,000.
The allegations against Catholic Medical Center did not pertain to infectious waste like used needles.
N.H. AG announces $205,000 agreement with Catholic Medical Center
