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EPA Proposes $28,000 Fine for Vermont Company Over Toxic Chemical Reporting Violations

Release Date: 05/30/2002
Contact Information: Andrew Spejewski, EPA Press Office, 617-918-1014

BOSTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today it is proposing to fine Mack Group, Inc. of Arlington, Vt., $27,753 for failing to file required chemical use reports. A complaint filed yesterday alleges that in 1999 and 2000 the facility used approximately 30,000 pounds per year of decabromodiphenyl oxide but did not report releases of the chemical, as required by the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA).

"These right-to-know reports give local citizens valuable information on chemicals being used in their communities," said Robert W. Varney, regional administrator for EPA's New England office. "Companies need to follow through on their reporting responsibilities."

Mack Group, Inc. manufactures a variety of plastic enclosures (such as shower stall bases and battery enclosures) at the Arlington plant. Decabromodiphenyl oxide is used as a flame retardant additive.

The Toxic Release Inventory provisions of EPCRA require companies that use over a threshold amount of certain toxic chemicals to file annual reports listing quantities of reportable chemicals released to air, water and land. The Toxic Release Inventory is one of EPA's primary tools in tracking and reducing releases of toxic chemicals. The use threshold for decabromodiphenyl oxide is 25,000 pounds per year.