ST. LOUIS —
Teva Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. will pay a $2.25 million penalty for violations that included allowing fluorescent green discharge into a river at its plant in northeast Missouri, state and federal officials said Thursday.
Teva makes antibiotics at a plant outside of Mexico, Mo., about 120 miles northwest of St. Louis. Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster said the green discharge flowed into the Salt River from a wastewater treatment plant in 2008. Koster’s office said it discolored the river for 22 miles, all the way to Mark Twain Lake. The discharge was traced to the Teva facility.
“Missourians have a right to expect local businesses to comply with environmental laws designed to protect the state’s valuable water resources,” Koster said.
Nanci Gonder, a spokeswoman for Koster, said there were no known human or wildlife illnesses resulting from the discharge.
The EPA cited air pollution, water pollution and wastewater violations, some of which were uncovered by inspections dating to 2007, even before the discharge was found in Salt River.
“With numerous violations over a period of years, Teva’s actions resulted in significant environmental damage to the air and water,” said EPA Region 7 Administrator Karl Brooks. “The penalty and injunctive relief required by this agreement send a strong message to Teva and others that businesses must comply with environmental laws.”
Teva said in a statement that the issues leading to the penalty “have been addressed and the facility is operating in compliance with all relevant environmental laws. Additionally, the site continues to take proactive steps to reduce its environmental footprint.”
The EPA said that in addition to the penalty, Teva must pay more than $2.5 million for anti-pollution upgrades at the plant. The company also will pay the state $150,000 for things such as investigation costs and damage to natural resources, Koster’s office said.
Teva Pharmaceuticals USA is a division of Teva Industries Ltd., based in Israel. Its website says it employs 46,000 people in 60 countries, including 9,000 in the U.S.
Business
$2.25M penalty for Missouri pharmaceuticals plant
- Business
-
-
Stock market falls as traders fear stimulus cuts
Stocks are falling after the Federal Reserve gave a slightly more optimistic outlook for the U.S. economy, which investors took as a hint that the bank was nearer to a decision to reduce its economic stimulus program.
-
Top UK court overturns sanctions on Iranian bank
Britain’s Supreme Court quashed sanctions against an Iranian bank penalized over its alleged links to Iran’s nuclear weapons program, saying Wednesday that Bank Mellat had been arbitrarily singled out.
-
Netflix to expand to Netherlands later this year
Netflix is going Dutch.
-
World Bank highlights climate-poverty link
The World Bank says it will increasingly view its efforts to help developing countries fight poverty through a “climate lens.”
-
Japan formally OKs new nuke safety requirements
Japan’s nuclear watchdog formally approved a set of new safety requirements for atomic power plants Wednesday, paving the way for the reopening of facilities shut down since the Fukushima disaster in a move critics charge is too hasty.
-
World Food Prize goes to 3 biotech scientists
The World Food Prize Foundation on Wednesday took the bold step of awarding this year’s prize to three pioneers of plant biotechnology whose work brought the world genetically modified crops.
-
Investors look for answers on economy from Fed
Worry and speculation have consumed investors since Chairman Ben Bernanke spoke to Congress last month about the Federal Reserve’s drive to keep long-term interest rates at record lows.
-
Dish won’t submit revised bid for Sprint
Satellite TV operator Dish Network Corp. said Tuesday it would not submit a revised bid for Sprint, leaving the path open for the wireless carrier to accept what it already considers a superior offer from Japan’s Softbank.
-
West Virginia mine safety lab creates disasters to train
Orange flames lick at the roof of the coal mine, heat building and visibility dropping as smoke begins to fill the underground passageway.
-
Stocks edge lower as investors wait on Fed
Stocks edged lower in early trading on Wall Street Wednesday as investors waited for word from the Federal Reserve.
- More Business Headlines
-
Ex-Hit Man's Past Is a Shock to Some Neighbors
Fans: Gandofini 'Put New Jersey on the Map'
Does Future of Human Race Depend on Kansas Mine?
Reining in 'Bad News' Sports Parents
James Gandolfini Dies at Age 51
Fmr. TWA Flight 800 Investigators Want New Probe
Raw: Heat, Spurs Back on Court Ahead of Game 7
Dolce and Gabbana Convicted of Tax Evasion
Paris, Prince Depositions Used in Jackson Trial
Coiffed Cattle Get Their Close-up
In Berlin, Obama Channels Cold War Activism
Police at Patriots Tight End's Home for 2nd Day
Fed Suggests Bond Purchases Could Slow
AP: DOJ Broke Own Rules Seizing Phone Records
Raw: Baby White Rhino Debuts at Australian Zoo
Time Lapse: Rebuilding Bridge Post-collapse
Ohio Woman Accuses 3 of Holding Her Captive
Hunt for Ex-Teamster Boss Hoffa's Remains Ends
