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PA AGENCY RELEASES REPORT ON NEW RIVER POLLUTION

Release Date: 2/9/96
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PA AGENCY RELEASES REPORT ON NEW RIVER POLLUTION

FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1996

AGENCY RELEASES REPORT ON NEW RIVER POLLUTION

EPA has released the report "Summary of Information Collected from U.S. Parent Companies of Maquiladoras Relating to the New River," which summarizes information gathered from letters and administrative subpoenas issued to U.S. parent companies with facilities in Mexicali, Mexico in the vicinity of the New River. The subpoenas were issued under the authority of section 11 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Based on reported releases, the 83 maquiladoras do not appear to be major contributors to industrial pollution in the New River. However, the information contained in the responses was insufficient to permit the agency to independently assess whether the data contained in the responses from the U.S. parent companies are representative of the actual releases of industrial pollutants from the maquiladoras. Further, EPA does not currently have the data necessary to make such a determination. The agency is continuing to monitor the New River in order to provide accurate information on pollutants in the river. The data study and report were created in response to three petitions from citizens living in the vicinity of the New River expressing concern about the river's pollution and potential threats to health and the environment. The information was subpoenaed to determine whether the companies manufacture, process, or otherwise use, import, export, or dispose of chemicals that could be contributing to industrial contamination of the New River. EPA evaluated the data and determined that there was no imminent hazard or unreasonable risk from chemicals identified in the company responses. With the completion and release of this report, EPA has increased the community's knowledge about sources of pollution to the New River. In addition to the release of this report, the United States and Mexico have agreed to prepare a binational facility plan and undertake 11 projects to shore up the existing wastewater system in Mexicali. The New River is one of the most polluted rivers in the United States, with four main sources of pollution: agricultural run-off and irrigation return flow; industrial wastewater; solid waste; and untreated/partially treated domestic sewage. Historic monitoring data indicate the river contains both chemical and biological contaminants resulting from domestic, industrial, and agricultural activity adjacent to the river on both sides of the border. Copies of the report are available through the TSCA Hotline at 202-554-1404.

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