Utah opens criminal probe into Stericycle medical waste incinerator

(Reuters) - Utah Governor Gary Herbert asked the state's attorney general on Thursday to open a criminal probe into allegations of misconduct at a medical waste incinerator that environmental activists have accused of polluting the air. The criminal investigation comes in addition to separate probes launched last week by the state's Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and its Labor Commission into activities at the plant owned by Stericycle in North Salt Lake. Herbert's office said the governor had directed that all the investigations be completed as soon as possible. "If any of the allegations are ultimately substantiated, he intends to use his full authority take swift and aggressive corrective action," the office said in a statement. Illinois-based Stericycle did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment. Environmental activists have long criticized air-quality regulators over the facility, saying it should not have been allowed to continue operating as the area became more populated. Herbert's office said a probe by the DEQ into possible regulatory violations relating to Stericycle's permits began on Sept. 17, the day the governor's office said it received the allegations. It said the next day the Utah Labor Commission began studying potential violations of occupational safety and health standards that would endanger workers at the site. In recent months, it added, the DEQ had required Stericycle to take more steps to better protect surrounding communities, including setting up enhanced emission controls and the installation of continuous emission monitors at the facility. The plant treats about 7,000 tons of medical waste per year from across the western United States, state environmental officials say. (Reporting by Daniel Wallis in Denver; Editing by Eric Beech)