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EPA Proposes $22,000 Fine for Conn. Company Over Toxic Chemical Reporting Violations

Release Date: 12/18/2001
Contact Information: Andrew Spejewski, EPA Press Office, (617- 918-1014)

BOSTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today it is proposing a $22,000 penalty against the Exmet Corporation of Naugatuck, Conn. for failing to report its use of a toxic chemical. A complaint filed last week alleges that from 1996 through 1999 the company used over 10,000 pounds per year of dichloromethane, a toxic chemical, but did not report its use as required by the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA).

"These right-to-know reports give local citizens valuable information on chemicals being used in their communities," said Robert W. Varney, regional administrator for EPA's New England office. "Companies need to follow through on their reporting responsibilities."

Exmet manufactures expanded metals (screens, grating, etc.) for sale to light and heavy industrial markets worldwide. The company uses dichloromethane as a degreaser in its operations.

The Toxics Release Inventory provisions of EPCRA require companies that use over a threshold amount of certain toxic chemicals to file annual reports listing quantities of reportable chemicals released to air, water and land. The Toxics Release Inventory is one of EPA's primary tools in tracking and reducing releases of toxic chemicals. The use threshold for dichloromethane is 10,000 pounds per year.