All Four American Ecology Disposal Facilities Recognized for Exemplary Safety Programs


BOISE, ID--(Marketwire - September 17, 2007) - American Ecology Corporation (NASDAQ: ECOL) today announced that all four of its operating disposal sites have now been recognized for exemplary health and safety performance. American Ecology's Richland, Washington site was named a Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) "Star" site last week by the State of Washington, joining the Company's Grand View, Idaho and Robstown, Texas sites in receiving this prestigious recognition. The Company's Beatty, Nevada site was awarded Safety and Health Achievement and Recognition Program status earlier this year.

"Safety is a core value at American Ecology," Stephen Romano, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated. "We intend to maintain this recognition for all of our operations through a continuing commitment to safety at all levels of our organization."

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) initiated the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) in 1982 and works with state agencies and private companies to maintain worker protection programs that exceed OSHA requirements. As a result, the average VPP worksite boasts safety statistics that are twice as good as industry averages. Only 1,843 work places in the country enjoy VPP status. Participating companies are selected based on their health and safety management systems and proven safety performance. OSHA then conducts thorough on-site evaluations to judge how well these systems are working.

American Ecology Corporation, based in Boise, Idaho, provides radioactive, PCB, hazardous and non-hazardous waste services to refineries, chemical production facilities, manufacturers, electric utilities, steel mills, medical and academic institutions and government agencies throughout the United States. American Ecology is the oldest radioactive and hazardous waste services Company in the United States.

Contact Information: Contact: Rich O'Hara (208) 331-8400 rohara@usecology.com www.americanecology.com