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U.S. EPA, ASSOCIATED PLASTICS INC. SETTLE CASE FOR $10,367

Release Date: 4/22/1999
Contact Information: Randy Wittorp, U.S. EPA, (415)744-1589

     SAN FRANCISCO -- Associated Plastics Inc., Riverside, has settled a violation of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act for failing to report releases of a toxic chemical called styrene.  Associated Plastics settled the case with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for $10,367 and agreed to install pollution control equipment worth $162,000.  

     The pollution control equipment will reduce styrene releases from the facility's fiberglass and polymer product lines.  "EPA encourages creative projects to settle complaints.  This project invests directly into the affected community helping to protect public health in the future," said Enrique Manzanilla,  EPA's regional Cross Media Division director.

     Associated Plastics failed to report styrene releases between 1994 and 1997.  Breathing small amounts of the compound over long periods of time can cause alterations in vision, hearing loss and increased reaction times.  EPA is also reviewing styrene's cancer-causing potential.  Styrene is used in polyester resin, a compound which produces a wide variety of plastics.

     Federal law requires certain facilities with ten or more employees 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.  EPA then compiles the information into a national database available to the public.  "Companies have a responsibility to their employees and the surrounding neighborhood to report chemical releases," Manzanilla said.

     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 at: www.epa.gov/enviro.

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