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Conn. Arms Maker Agrees to Pay $107,500

Release Date: 05/22/2000
Contact Information: Amy Miller, EPA Press Office (617-918-1042)

BOSTON - An arms manufacturer in North Haven, Conn., has agreed to pay $107,500 to settle a claim by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that the company failed to meet federal environmental standards regarding chromium emissions to the air.

This enforcement action was part of a larger effort by EPA New England to bring metal finishers into compliance with environmental laws.

According to the administrative complaint filed in December, Marlin Firearms Co. exceeded chromium emissions limits at levels five times the legal standard in February 1998 and failed to meet testing, work practice and record-keeping requirements for its chromium electroplating tank. The size of the fine reflects the fact that the emissions were significantly higher than the legal standard.

EPA inspected Marlin's facility in January 1999 after receiving a test report provided by the company showing excess chromium emissions to the air.

The company has since shut down its chromium electroplating operations and now contracts with a local electroplating company to perform this function. Chromium, a known carcinogen and air pollutant, is designated a "hazardous air pollutant" under the federal Clean Air Act. Marlin used chromium in the finishing process of manufacturing guns.

"Hazardous pollutants are regulated by federal environmental laws to protect the public's health," said Mindy Lubber, EPA's New England Administrator. "EPA New England goes out of its way to help companies that work to follow these laws. Marlin has learned, on the other hand, that violations that threaten the public health and environment will be addressed aggressively by EPA's enforcement unit."

The complaint against Marlin is part of a larger effort by EPA, which includes assistance to companies that clean or finish metal and to educate them on relevant environmental regulations.

Much of the work with the metal industry is being done through EPA's Metal Finishing Strategic Goals Program, a three-year-old program that is encouraging metal finishers to meet aggressive pollution reduction goals by the year 2002. The national program was launched in partnership with industry groups, environmental groups and state and local regulators.

Companies that sign up for the program receive compliance and pollution prevention assistance. And, as companies work toward meeting the goals, they'll be rewarded with more flexible regulatory oversight from EPA and state environmental regulators. More information on federal regulations and how to prevent pollution is available by calling Linda Darveau in the Office of Assistance and Pollution Prevention at 1-617-918-1718.

EPA efforts to control pollution by the metal industry stem in part from regulations enacted in 1995 to regulate emissions of chromium, trichloroethylene and other toxic chemicals.