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EPA CITES ALLENTOWN CEMENT COMPANY FOR VIOLATING TOXIC CHEMICAL REPORTING LAW

Release Date: 1/12/1999
Contact Information: Ruth Podems (215) 814-5540

EVANSVILLE, Pa. - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency  has cited the Allentown Cement Co., Inc. for violating the federal toxic chemical release reporting statute at its cement manufacturing plant, located at Route 222 in Evansville, Pa.  

EPA’s complaint alleges that the company violated the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) by failing to file required reports on zinc compounds used at the plant in 1995.  EPA is seeking a proposed $17,000 penalty for this violation.

EPCRA requires companies that manufacture, process or use more than a threshold amount of regulated chemicals to file an annual toxic chemical release form with EPA and the state environmental agency.  Companies must report both routine and accidental releases of toxic chemicals, as well as the maximum amount of any regulated chemicals located at the facility and the amount contained in wastes that were transferred off-site.  

The reports provide the basis for EPA’s annual "Toxic Release Inventory, which is provided to the public and regulatory authorities to track pollution trends.

In its complaint, EPA alleges that the company failed to report the amounts of zinc compounds released at the facility in 1995.  Zinc oxide is contained in rubber tires which are burned in the company’s kilns, releasing into the atmosphere smoke containing zinc oxide particles.

At high enough concentrations, exposure to zinc fumes and dust can cause nausea, dizziness, headaches, difficulty in breathing, and at high concentrations, unconsciousness.  The complaint alleges a reporting violation, and   n ot an unlawful release of this chemical.   

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


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