Suiza Dairy is a former dairy and juice
products manufacturing facility in an urban commercial and residential area of
San Juan, Puerto Rico, which operated from 1962 until ceasing operations in
2024. A currently estimated 5,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia remains on site
in the facility’s refrigeration system. In June 2024, a release of ammonia from
the refrigeration system required a response from local emergency services and
plant personnel to secure. An inspection of the facility in July 2024 by EPA
under the CAA 112(r) General Duty Clause (GDC) determined that the refrigeration
system was in poor repair and not well maintained. In September 2024 Suiza entered into an Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) with EPA to remove the ammonia from
the facility, and after various removal work plan submissions by the facility
and reviews and final approval by EPA, the removal of the ammonia is scheduled
to begin on July 21, 2026. The response action will consist of the removal of the liquid
anhydrous ammonia and residual vapor and final purging of the system. EPA will monitor
on-site operations and perform off-site air monitoring during all removal
activities and will perform outreach and provide updates to the surrounding
community.
