Spokane concrete and asphalt manufacturer fails to disclose use of chemicals

Press release:

Spokane concrete and asphalt manufacturer fails to disclose use of chemicals

Contact Info: Hanady Kader, EPA Public Affairs, 206-553-0454, kader.hanady@epa.gov
Graham Kirn, EPA Toxics Release Inventory Program, 206-553-1603, kirn.graham@epa.gov

(Seattle—Aug. 23, 2012) CPM Development Corporation, a concrete and asphalt manufacturing facility, failed to report toxic chemical use at its Spokane, Washington facility under federal community right-to-know laws, according to a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The company has submitted the missing reports outlining chemical use and disposal at its facility, and will pay a fine.

“Companies have a responsibility to nearby communities to be transparent about the chemicals they use,” said Kim Ogle, Manager of the Inspection and Enforcement Management Unit in EPA’s Seattle office. “Many chemicals, such as lead, are especially harmful to children.”

EPA found that the company failed to report on time for its processing of lead compounds and nitrate compounds in 2010. During that year, the company processed more than 100 pounds of lead compounds and more than 25,000 pounds of nitrate compounds, the threshold amounts that trigger reporting requirements under the federal Toxics Release Inventory program.

Lead is a persistent, toxic chemical that can accumulate in our bodies and is especially harmful to young children. Nitrates can cause dangerous blood conditions, low blood pressure and are particularly harmful to pregnant women and children.

Under the federal Toxics Release Inventory Program, companies that use certain toxic chemicals are required to report annually about releases, transfers and waste management of those chemicals at their facilities. The TRI program is under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, which aims to inform communities and citizens of chemical hazards in their neighborhoods.

The company has agreed to pay a $25,400 penalty.

For more information on the Toxics Release Inventory, visit: http://www.epa.gov/tri/

Idaho Haz Waste Disposal Site Failed to Disclose Releases

Idaho hazardous waste disposal site failed to disclose chemical releases

Contacts: Hanady Kader, EPA Public Affairs, (206) 553-0454, kader.hanady@epa.gov
Graham Kirn, EPA Toxics Release Inventory Program, (206) 553-1603, kirn.graham@epa.gov

(Seattle—March 22, 2012) US Ecology Idaho, Inc., a hazardous waste disposal site in Grand View, Idaho, failed to report the on-site disposal of thousands of pounds of chemicals at its facility, according to a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The company has corrected the violations of the Toxics Release Inventory Program and will pay a fine.

 “Companies that handle toxic chemicals have a responsibility to be transparent about what they use and release into the environment,” said Kelly Huynh, manager of the Inspection and Enforcement Management Unit at EPA in Seattle. “Accurate, timely numbers from companies are critical for communities to have up-to-date information on chemical releases in their states.”

US Ecology Idaho, Inc. failed to report the on-site disposal of 20 chemicals and chemical categories during 2009.

As part of its hazardous waste disposal operations, the company disposed of more than 10,000 pounds each of aluminum, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper and copper compounds, diethanolamine, ethylene glycol, manganese, methyl isobutyl ketone, nickel, nitric acid, selenium, silver, thallium and zinc.

In addition, the company disposed of more than 100 pounds of lead and lead compounds and more than 10 pounds each of mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls.

Many of the chemicals disposed of at the facility have dangerous human health impacts and risks associated with them.

The company has submitted the required reports to the EPA and the State of Idaho to resolve the violations and agreed to pay a penalty of $184,400.

Under the federal Toxics Release Inventory Program, companies that use certain toxic chemicals are required to report annually about releases, transfers and waste management activities involving toxic chemicals at their facilities.

The Toxics Release Inventory Program falls under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, which aims to inform communities and citizens of chemical hazards in their neighborhoods.

For more information on the Toxics Release Inventory Program, visit: http://www.epa.gov/tri