All News Releases By Date

Pomona Swimming Pool Products Company Agrees to Pay U.S. EPA $57,500 to Resolve Reporting Violations

Release Date: 3/15/2005
Contact Information: Francisco Arcaute, (213) 244-1815, Cell: (213) 798-1404, Main press line: (415) 947-8700

Firm failed to report toxic chemical inventory

LOS ANGELES - Hayward Pool Products, Inc., of Pomona, Calif., has agreed to pay the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency $57,500 to resolve reporting violations for failure to report the releases of dicholoromethane and diisocyanates in amounts exceeding regulatory threshold limits, a violation of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act.

"Facilities that use, store and release hazardous chemicals owe it to the neighboring community and their employees to inform the EPA and the state of their chemical releases and transfers," said Enrique Manzanilla, Cross Media Division Director of the EPA's Pacific Southwest Region. "This should remind others that we maintain a close watch over chemical reporting practices and are serious about enforcing community right-to-know laws."

Hayward Pool Products is located at 2875 Pomona Boulevard. The firm produces swimming pool controls, filters, and related cleaning products. During a routine inspection, the EPA discovered that Hayward Pool Products had failed to file a report for the dichloromethane it had otherwise used between 1998 and 2000 and the diisocyanates it had processed between 2000 and 2002.

Dichloromethane is a colorless organic liquid with a sweet, chloroform-like odor, used as a paint remover or cleaning agent in a variety of industries. The EPA has found dichloromethane to potentially cause damage to the nervous system and to blood, and in cases of long-term exposure, possible liver damage and cancer.

Diisocyanates can be released during foam production. They are a potent group of pulmonary sensitizers and can produce an acute allergic response among some individuals.

The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act requires certain businesses to submit annual reports on their toxic releases to air, water, land, or underground injection wells. The reports must be sent to the United States Environmental Protection Agency and to designated state agencies. Failing to file a report can result in fines of up to $32,500 per violation.

All of these reported releases of toxic chemicals are compiled into the Toxics Release Inventory - a computerized database that is made available to the public. For more information on the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/tri.