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U.S. EPA, AMERICAN WATER HEATER CO. SETTLE CASE FOR $107,981

Release Date: 3/31/1999
Contact Information: Lois Grunwald, U.S. EPA (415) 744-1588

     SAN FRANCISCO -- American Water Heater Co. of Reno has been fined $107,981 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for allegedly failing to file reports estimating its releases of toxic chemical compounds, a violation of the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act.  

     The company failed to properly report its releases of diisocyanate compounds and 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane to the environment between 1993 and 1996.  Breathing diisocyanates for a long period of time can cause respiratory distress, asthma, and other respiratory problems in workers.  1,1-Dichloro-1-fluoroethane is an ozone-depleting chemical.  These chemicals are used to produce polyurethane foam insulation.

     An EPA inspector discovered the violations during a routine inspection in 1997.

     "Companies working with hazardous chemicals have a responsibility to their employees and the surrounding neighborhood to report chemical releases," said Enrique Manzanilla,  EPA's regional Cross Media Division director. "EPA is maintaining a close watch over chemical reporting practices."

     Federal law requires certain facilities with ten or more employees using chemicals over certain amounts to file annual reports of chemical releases with the EPA and the state. The reports estimate the amounts of each toxic chemical released to the environment, treated or recycled on-site, or transferred off-site for waste management.  Information is then compiled into a national database and made available to the public.  

     Each year the EPA publishes a report entitled the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) Public Data Release, which summarizes the prior years submissions and provides detailed trend analysis of toxic chemical releases.  More information on the program can be obtained by calling (800) 535-0202.  The U.S. EPA's environmental databases, including TRI data, can also be accessed via the Internet at: www.epa.gov/enviro .