E.P.A. and Lancaster Company Reach Settlement on Chemical Reporting Violations

Philadelphia (August 18, 2010) -- The E.P.A. today announced that Maxima Technologies & Systems, LLC has settled alleged violations of toxic chemical reporting requirements at its plant on Rohrerstown Road in Lancaster, Pa.

E.P.A. cited the company for violating the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), which requires companies that manufacture, use or produce in excess of a threshold amount of listed toxic chemicals to file an yearly toxic chemical release form with E.P.A. and the state. Companies must also report both routine and accidental delivers of toxic chemicals, as well as the maximum amount of any listed chemicals at the facility and the amount contained in wastes transferred off-site.

These reports are used to compile the yearly Toxic Release Inventory (TRI), a publicly accessible E.P.A. database that contains information on toxic chemicals and releases.

In July 2009, E.P.A. inspected Maxima's Lancaster facility to evaluate its compliance with EPCRA regulations. E.P.A. alleges that during 2007 and 2008, the facility processed lead in quantities that exceeded the reporting thresholds for lead and failed to file the required reports.

E.P.A. compiles the TRI data submitted by regulated facilities each year and makes the data accessible through several web-based tools, including TRI Explorer, TRI.NET, and Envirofacts.

The goal of TRI is to provide citizens with information about toxic chemical delivers and waste management activities in their communities. The data is also useful to all levels of industry, government, non-governmental organizations, and the public in planning and decision making.

In a consent arrangement with EPA, Maxima Technologies & Systems has agreed to pay a $35,394 civil penalty for failing to file required yearly reports. The settlement penalty reflects the company's cooperation with EPA's investigation of these alleged violations and its compliance efforts.

For more information, see http://www.epa.gov/tri/.