Chemical manufacturer fined by EPA for violating environmental laws following 2022 fire
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An investigation conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has discovered that Nox-Crete Inc. violated the federal Clean Air Act, Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act. The investigation began after the chemical manufacturer’s Omaha, Nebraska facility caught fire in May 2022. During the incident, 659,543 pounds of chemicals were released, which included 40,262 pounds of extremely hazardous substances that are combustible, flammable, and/or toxic. During the investigation, it was discovered that the company failed to minimize the consequences of the chemical release and did not contact the EPA and local authorities regarding the release of hazardous chemicals. As a result, Nox-Crete will have to pay a $37,026 civil penalty and install a foam-deluge fire suppression system in its manufacturing and raw material storage areas. The new system will cost approximately $244,000.
In a recent quote, David Cozad, director of EPA Region 7’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division, said, “Nox-Crete’s operations presented a significant risk to its workers and the surrounding community, which is already overburdened by pollution. This settlement, including the installation of the improved fire suppression system, will reduce the risk to workers and residents from future harmful accidents.”
About the Author
Alexis GajewskiAlexis Gajewski
Senior Content Strategist
Alexis Gajewski is a manufacturing writer and editor with nearly 20 years of experience covering the people, practices, and technologies that keep industrial facilities running. For more than a decade, she served as Senior Content Strategist for Plant Services, creating content for plant managers, engineers, and maintenance professionals on a variety of industrial topics.
During her tenure, Alexis worked to develop the brand’s digital strategy and helped launch and produce Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast. She also created The Lighter Side of Manufacturing, a weekly blog that explored the inventive and sometimes humorous side of the industry.
Alexis co-founded Influential Women in Manufacturing, a recognition program that honored 49 women in its first two years, earned an industry award for Best Product Launch, and received a proclamation from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and a commendation from U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth.
She also led newsroom operations and development at a large media company where she set editorial standards, developed training curriculum, and helped support AI adoption for more than 150 editors across 80+ brands spanning manufacturing, industrial processing, automation, and more.
Additionally, Alexis works as a freelance writer and editor, and her areas of interest include continuous improvement, the skilled workforce, and the role of emerging technology on the plant floor.
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