(AGENPARL) - Roma, 11 Gennaio 2024 - (AGENPARL) – gio 11 gennaio 2024 Issued: Jan 11, 2024 (11:23am EST)
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EPA Fines COIM USA for Inaccurate Reporting of Hazardous Chemical
Company Agrees to Supply Equipment to Local Fire Department as Part of
Settlement
NEW YORK (January 11, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
has reached a settlement with COIM USA, Inc. (COIM) for allegedly violating
the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) at
their chemical manufacturing facility in West Deptford, New Jersey. Failure of
facilities to accurately disclose chemical information deprives local
community members and officials of their right to know about releases and the
presence of chemicals in their neighborhoods. Under the settlement, COIM will
pay a $101,400 penalty. Additionally, the company will undertake a
supplemental environmental project (SEP) estimated to cost approximately
$25,000 to purchase emergency planning and preparedness equipment for the West
Deptford Fire Department.
“COIM failed to meet their obligation to public safety by inaccurately
reporting their activities involving 1,4-Dioxane, a hazardous chemical,”
said Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “This settlement not only holds
the company accountable for their violations, but also supports the local fire
department in enhancing their emergency preparedness and response
capabilities.”
The settlement resolves EPA’s allegations that COIM failed to accurately
report the off-site transfers and disposal methods of 1,4-Dioxane, in their
Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) reports for the years 2018, 2019, 2020 and
2021. The TRI program requires facilities that manufacture, process, or
otherwise use certain toxic chemicals above threshold levels to report
annually on their releases and other waste management activities. In response
to EPA’s request for the raw data and information that supported their
1,4-Dioxane TRI reports, COIM identified chemical records they had previously
not considered and reevaluated their calculations and waste transfer
descriptions. Accordingly, COIM updated its calculations and waste transfer
descriptions, fixed its TRI reports, and set up internal controls to prevent
future violations.
In addition to the penalty, COIM agreed to perform a Supplemental
Environmental Project (SEP), which involves purchasing and providing fire
turnout gear (safety clothing) for the West Deptford Fire Department. The SEP
will help the fire department improve their ability to respond to emergencies
involving hazardous chemicals such as 1,4-Dioxane in West Deptford and the
surrounding communities.
Visit EPA’s Toxic Release Inventory Program webpage for additional
information about the program.
