Potash Corp of Saskatchewan fined for violation of Clean Air Act

This report is part of our former „Harmful Cases“ documentation, where we continuously and concisely recorded human rights violations, violations of international law or environmental destruction caused by companies.

The Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan has, on the 6th November 2014,  been fined $1.3 million for violations related to air pollution. The Potash Corporation was found to have modified facilities in ways that released excess sulfur dioxide into the surrounding communities. (( US Department of Justice http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/three-subsidiaries-world-s-largest-fertilizer-producer-reduce-harmful-air-emissions-eight )) Sulfur dioxide, the predominant pollutant emitted from sulfuric acid plants, has numerous adverse effects on human health and is a significant contributor to acid rain, smog and haze.  Sulfur dioxide—along with nitrogen oxide—is converted in the air to particulate matter that can cause severe respiratory and cardiovascular impacts, and premature death.

Three of the subsidiaries of Potash Corp (PCS Nitrogen Fertilizer, AA Sulfuric Inc., and White Springs Agricultural Chemicals Inc), located in the US states of Louisiana, North Carolina and Florida, will need to take steps to reduce harmful air emissions at eight U.S. production plants according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which will cost an estimated US$ 50 million. (( US Department of Justice http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/three-subsidiaries-world-s-largest-fertilizer-producer-reduce-harmful-air-emissions-eight ))