EPA Fines Firm for Failing to Report Info Needed by First Responders
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has fined a Lower Lake, Calif., petroleum bulk storage company $10,000 for allegedly failing to report its toxic chemical inventory, a violation of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act. The company, Jim Jonas Inc., failed to submit complete and correct forms to EPA and the state on the amount of 1,2,4 trimethylbenzene, toluene, xylene (mixed isomers), naphthalene, polycyclic aromatic compounds, n-hexane, benzene, and ethylbenzene for reporting years 2005 and 2006, the agency said.
"Facilities that use toxic chemicals must provide complete and accurate information about these chemicals so residents and emergency responders are aware of possible chemical hazards in the community," said Enrique Manzanilla, Communities and Ecosystems director for EPA's Pacific Southwest region. "We will continue to ensure that companies subject to reporting requirements comply with the community's right to know."
Each year EPA compiles the information submitted from the previous year regarding toxic chemical releases, and produces a national Toxics Release Inventory database for public availability. The database estimates the amounts of each toxic chemical released to the environment, treated or recycled on-site, or transferred off-site for waste management, and also provides a trend analysis of toxic chemical releases. Benzene, ethylbenzene, napthalene, and polycyclic aromatic compounds are known carcinogens.
For more information on the TRI program, visit www.epa.gov/tri. EPA's environmental databases, including the TRI data, can be accessed at www.epa.gov/enviro.