Release Date: 07/22/2015
Contact Information: David Deegan, (617) 918-1017
BOSTON, MASS.
An EPA settlement with two North Canaan mineral processing companies for the companies’ alleged failure to file required toxic release inventory information requires that two local emergency response units be provided with $28,700 of equipment that will help firefighters to better protect local residents in emergencies.
Under the settlement, Specialty Minerals Inc. and Minteq International Inc. will also pay a civil penalty of $76,500, settling EPA claims that the facilities violated the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act by failing to complete and submit timely toxic release inventory (TRI) reports for lead compounds, manganese, antimony and propylene. The Toxics Release Inventory is a public right-to-know requirement that tracks the management of certain toxic chemicals that may pose a threat to human health and the environment.
The settlement requires that Specialty Minerals and Minteq jointly purchase and donate emergency response equipment and training materials and/or classes to the Canaan Fire Company and the Torrington Fire Department, which will allow for field readings and monitoring of conditions during hazardous materials incidents and for personal protection of emergency responders who might encounter hazardous chemicals in the field.
“Failing to file toxic inventory forms deprives the community of its right to know about releases and the presence of toxic chemicals in the neighborhood,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England office. “EPA is pleased that in this settlement, two local communities will benefit from their local fire departments having access to specialized equipment to better protect health during emergencies.”
Under the Toxics Release Inventory, certain U.S. facilities must report annually how much of each toxic chemical is released to the environment and/or managed through recycling, energy recovery and treatment. A "release" of a chemical means that it is emitted to the air or water, or placed in some type of land disposal.
More information on Toxic Release Inventory: http://www2.epa.gov/toxics-release-inventory-tri-program/learn-about-toxics-release-inventory