News Releases from Region 09

EPA Resolves Violations with Newport Beach, Calif. Company for Failure to Report Imported Agricultural Chemicals

LOS ANGELES-The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency settled its case against American Vanguard Corporation, located in Newport Beach, Calif., for failure to report toxic chemical substances imported by two of its subsidiary companies. American Vanguard will pay a fine of $81,855.

Under the federal Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), EPA maintains a comprehensive list of more than 85,000 chemical substances called the TSCA Inventory. Bulk chemical substances on this list weighing more than 25,000 lbs that are imported, manufactured, processed or used must be reported to EPA.

In 2011, American Vanguard imported through its subsidiaries AMVAC Chemical Corporation and GemChem, Inc. more than 25,000 pounds of three chemicals commonly used as ingredients in pesticides and other agricultural products: Trichloroethanal, Phosphorothioic trichloride and 2,4-Dichlorophenol. The company failed to report these chemicals to EPA by the 2012 deadline, as required by TSCA's Chemical Data Reporting rule.

American Vanguard Corporation is a Delaware corporation with headquarters offices in Newport Beach, Calif., that develops products such as pesticides and herbicides for agricultural use. It is the parent company of AMVAC Chemical Corporation, located in Los Angeles, Calif., and GemChem, Inc., located in Canton, Connecticut.

The data collected by EPA under the Chemical Data Reporting rule is made available to the public so that communities have a better understanding of the risks posed to human health and the environment by chemicals currently used in U.S. commerce.

For more information on TSCA chemical requirements, please visit: http://www2.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-toxic-substances-control-act