Paint Giant Slapped with Guilt Over Toxic Spill at Protected Estuary
International Paint Ltd, a subsidiary of global heavyweight AkzoNobel, has been found guilty of two serious environmental charges after a nine-day trial at Plymouth Crown Court. The firm faces sentencing in January following the illegal discharge of hazardous waste at its Newton Ferrers paint testing site.
Toxic Mess on River Yealm
The court heard that in 2015, during efforts to sell the Newton Creek facility, concerns were raised by Simon Friend of Red Earth Developments about pollution on the site. The Environment Agency launched an in-depth investigation that uncovered dangerous chemical contamination.
International Paint had been using the site since 1928 to test anti-fouling paints for ships, including formulations containing tributyltin (TBT). Once hailed for preventing marine growth on ship hulls, TBT wreaked havoc on the environment and was banned worldwide by the 2000s.
TBT is alarmingly toxic – just one drop diluted in an Olympic-size swimming pool equals one part per trillion. Legal safety levels are even lower at a fifth of a drop.
Environmental Disaster: Chemicals Found Leaking Into Special Conservation Area
The estuary where the facility sits is a Special Area of Conservation, home to rich and diverse marine life. The probe revealed sediment contaminated with TBT, copper, arsenic, and mercury had escaped into the pristine waters.
A bung on one tank had dislodged, allowing toxic sludge to leak directly into the estuary until it was permanently sealed with concrete.
Top marine toxicologist Dr Michael Waldock, who previously helped ban TBT, reviewed sediment samples. His shocking findings showed nine out of 11 samples exceeded safe TBT limits, with one sample containing 80,000 times the allowable level. He warned the contamination could cause severe harm to marine wildlife.
Environment Agency Hits Back: Multinational Fails Duty of Care
“International Paint, owned by a multi-national firm with a £134m turnover in 2020, failed in its duty of care to the environment,” said James Wimpress of the Environment Agency. “Despite repeated denials, we are pleased with the court’s decision and hope it sends a clear warning to other companies: we will take action against environmental offenders.”
The firm vehemently denied wrongdoing throughout the probe and trial but faces hefty consequences as the case moves to sentencing early next year.
