Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center in New York City will conduct a comprehensive environmental audit of its facilities under an agreement signed July 15 with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The agreement covers 53 buildings throughout the hospitalīs two main campuses and other affiliated operations.

Under the terms of the agreement, the hospital must self-report any violations, correct the deficiencies, and take steps to prevent future violations. The hospital will submit three disclosure reports to the EPA between Oct. 15 and Nov. 30. Whenever possible, the hospital is to correct discovered violations within 60 days of discovery.

In return for the self-audit, the EPA has agreed to waive portions of "gravity-based penalties," which are based on the seriousness of the violation. The EPA established the self-audit program to encourage hospitals, many of which were unaware of their responsibilities under environmental law, to come into compliance.

For additional details, refer to the complete artical on EPA's Region 2 web site at EPA Agrees to Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center Environmental Self-Audit.