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Wonder Chemical Corp. Cited for Chemical Spill Reporting Violations

Release Date: 8/8/2000
Contact Information: Ruth Wuenschel, (215) 814-5540

Ruth Wuenschel, 215-814-5540

FAIRLESS HILLS, Pa. - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced three complaints against Wonder Chemical Corporation, a cleaning product and detergent manufacturer located in Fairless Hills, Pa. EPA proposes penalties totaling $130,875 in three complaints relating to chemical record keeping and spill reporting.

Two of the complaints allege that the company violated federal laws requiring facilities to report hazardous chemical releases. These complaints involve two hazardous chemical releases of sodium hypochlorite into the environment. The first spill, which occurred in January 1998, resulted in a fish kill in the nearby Pennsylvania Canal.

The second spill, in February 1998, affected local surface and groundwater, including the Pennsylvania Canal. Two of the complaints allege that Wonder did not provide timely notifications for either release to local, state and federal emergency response agencies.

The third complaint alleges that the facility failed to file a "material safety data sheet" with the local fire department and with state and local emergency response agencies. The data sheets describe the health risks and other hazards associated with the chemical, and safety precautions for handling or accidental exposure. They are required under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act.

Also, required under the act, the facility must submit an annual emergency and hazardous chemical inventory form, which reports, among other things, the location and the estimated maximum and average amounts of hazardous chemicals present at the facility.

EPA alleges that Wonder failed to submit material safety data sheets and inventory reports on two regulated hazardous substances stored at its facility -- dodecylbenzene
sulfonic acid and sodium hypochlorite solution – to the state emergency response commission, local emergency planning commission, and local fire department. These violations allegedly occurred in the calendar years 1996, 1997, and 1998.

EPA’s reporting and emergency planning requirements are designed to protect the public's right to know about the presence of hazardous chemicals and to assist authorities in responding to an accidental release.

The company has the right to a hearing to contest the alleged violations and proposed penalties.