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MAINE GUN MANUFACTURER ORDERED TO OBEY CHROMIUM REGULATIONS AS PART OF EPA INITIATIVE

Release Date: 07/13/1999
Contact Information: Amy Miller, EPA Press Office (617-918-1042)

BOSTON -- As part of a larger initiative to control hazardous pollutants released by the metal industry, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a $195,945 penalty against a weapons manufacturer in Saco, Maine, for failing to meet federal environmental standards regarding chromium emissions. This enforcement action is among nine EPA-New England has taken in the last month against metal industry companies.

According to an administrative complaint signed last week, Saco Defense Inc. of 291 North St. exceeded chromium emissions limits in August 1997 and in April 1998 and failed to follow regulations for monitoring, record-keeping and reporting during 1997 and 1998. The size of the fine in part reflects the fact that Saco was exceeding federal chromium emission standards by 20 percent on one occasion and 33 percent on the other. The penalty also reflects the length of time the company was in violation of other federal environmental laws.

In negotiating the final penalty amount, EPA will consider the company's ability to pay the proposed penalties and corporate resources.

EPA conducted an inspection last year of Saco's facility after receiving a report from the company showing one of its three scrubbers had failed a chromium emissions test. The company has since come into compliance with EPA regulations, according to reports submitted by Saco since then. Chromium, a known carcinogen and air pollutant, is designated a "hazardous air pollutant" under the Clean Air Act. Saco uses chromium in the finishing process of manufacturing guns.

"In both enforcement and technical assistance programs, EPA is focusing particular attention on the metal industry, which uses numerous hazardous pollutants regulated by federal environmental laws," said John P. DeVillars, EPA's New England Administrator. "Many companies in the metal industry are doing a good job, but there are still too many that are violating laws protecting air, water and land. Companies that fail to follow the regulations threaten the public health and the environment and can expect aggressive efforts from EPA to force them into compliance."

The complaint against Saco Defense is part of a larger effort by EPA to offer assistance to companies that clean or finish metal and to educate them on relevant environmental regulations.

Much of the work with the metal industry is being done through EPA's Metal Finishing Strategic Goals Program, a three-year-old program that is encouraging metal finishers to meet aggressive pollution reduction goals by the year 2002. The national program was launched in partnership with industry groups, environmental groups and state and local regulators.

Companies that sign up for the program - so far two Maine metal finishers have done so - receive compliance and pollution prevention assistance. And, as companies work toward meeting the goals, they'll be rewarded with more flexible regulatory oversight from EPA and state environmental regulators.

More information on federal regulations and how to prevent pollution is available by calling Linda Darveau in the Office of Assistance and Pollution Prevention at 1-617-918-1718.

EPA efforts to control pollution by the metal industry stems in part from regulations enacted in 1995 to regulate emissions of chromium, trichloroethylene and other toxic chemicals