BALTIMORE (AP) — A medical waste processing company has pleaded guilty to dozens of environment-related charges and agreed to pay $1.75 million in fines after state prosecutors in Maryland accused a south Baltimore incineration plant owned by the firm of exposing the public to biohazardous material.
It’s supposed to be burned into ash before being transported to landfills, a process that prevents disease transmission, state officials said Tuesday at a news conference announcing the settlement agreement involving the nation’s largest medical waste incinerator.
The fine incurred by Curtis Bay Energy is among the highest environmental penalties imposed in Maryland’s history.
Witnesses provided photographs from the site showing substantial amounts of unburned medical waste, including surgical gloves, medical supplies and bedding, according to court documents.
In addition to evidence of unburned medical waste, investigators found the company had knowingly installed an illegal pump that was discharging wastewater onto an adjacent property.
Persons:
”, General Anthony Brown, ” Kelly Love, “, ” “, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, Curtis
Organizations:
BALTIMORE, Curtis, Curtis Bay Energy, Maryland Attorney General’s, ” “ Curtis, ” “ Curtis Bay Energy, Water Fund, Prosecutors, Baltimore Mayor
Locations:
Maryland, Baltimore, Curtis Bay, Baltimore’s Curtis Bay, Patapsco, Virginia, ” “ Curtis Bay, Curtis