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Hazardous chemical reporting roundup: EPA settles cases in Indianapolis and Toledo

Release Date: 04/06/2006
Contact Information: Mick Hans, (312) 353-5050, [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No.06-OPA042

(CHICAGO - April 6, 2006) Two cases involving hazardous chemical reporting violations were recently settled by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5. The facilities are located in Indianapolis and Toledo.

"Federal law requires notification to local authorities of hazardous chemical releases," said Richard Karl, Regional EPA Superfund Division Director. "Emergency responders need to know what they dealing with so they can take steps to protect people living or working in the area."

Reilly Industries, a chemical manufacturer at 1500 South Tibbs Ave., Indianapolis, will pay $88,468 for failure to promptly report to the National Response Center and state and local authorities five separate releases of hydrogen cyanide and one release of anhydrous ammonia between September and November 2003. In two of these cases, required written follow up reports to state and local authorities were also filed late, more than seven days after the incidents. EPA notified Reilly of the violation in June 2004.

Exposure to hydrogen cyanide may cause nausea, headaches and thyroid damage. Hydrogen cyanide releases above 10 pounds must be immediately reported to the National Response Center and state and local authorities. Anhydrous ammonia is commonly used in commercial refrigeration systems. It causes burns to the skin and irritation to the eyes, nose and throat and may be fatal if inhaled for long periods of time. Ammonia releases greater than 100 pounds must be immediately reported.

Auto parts manufacturer Dana Atlantic, LLC, formerly known as Glacier Daido America, LLC, 1215 S. Greenwood St., Bellefontaine (suburban Toledo), will pay $24,172 for failure to promptly report to the National Response Center a release of spent hydrochloric acid containing 136 pounds of lead on June 23, 2005. The incident was reported about seven hours after it was discovered by the facility operator. The facility conducted ground water monitoring after the incident and determined that the release did not go off-site. EPA's complaint was filed in November 2005.

Lead releases greater than 10 pounds must be immediately reported to the National Response Center and state and local authorities. Lead exposure may be hazardous to the eyes, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system.