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U.S. EPA settles with Southern California plumbing supplies company for failing to submit timely toxic reports

Release Date: 9/28/2005
Contact Information: Francisco Arcaute, (213) 244-1815, Cell: (213) 798-1404, Main press line: (415) 947-8700

LOS ANGELES -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently reached a $13,738 settlement with the Brasstech, Inc., a Santa Ana, Calif. company for failing to submit timely toxics reporting forms as required by the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act.

Brasstech, Inc. is a plumbing supplies manufacturer located at 311 E. Alton Avenue, Santa Ana, that processes copper compounds. In 2001 and 2002, Brasstech, Inc. processed copper compounds in quantities exceeding the annual threshold of 25,000 pounds. As required by federal law, Brasstech, Inc. should have submitted in 2002 and 2003 the correct reporting forms documenting its releases of copper compounds.

High levels of copper can cause irritation of the nose, mouth and eyes, vomiting, cramps, nausea and may cause damage to the liver and kidneys.

"It's essential that facilities that use certain chemicals follow EPA reporting rules so that we can inform area residents and emergency response personnel of possible chemical hazards in the environment," said Enrique Manzanilla, Communities and Ecosystems Division Director for EPA's Pacific Southwest region.

Enacted in 1986, the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act requires that reports detailing toxic chemical releases and waste management activities be submitted annually through the Toxics Release Inventory. Facilities failing to submit timely reports not only fail to comply with the annual reporting requirement but fail to make toxic release data available to states and the public in a timely manner.

For more information on TRI, please visit: www.epa.gov/tri