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North Kansas City, Mo., Metal Engraving Firm to Pay $31,612 to Settle Alleged Violations of Federal ‘Right-to-Know’ Act

Release Date: 05/06/2010
Contact Information: Chris Whitley, 913-551-7394, whitley.christopher@epa.gov

Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Kansas City, Kan., May 6, 2010) - A metal engraving and electroplating company in North Kansas City, Mo., has agreed to pay a $31,612 civil penalty to settle allegations that it failed to file annual reports with EPA and the State of Missouri disclosing the types of toxic chemicals that were manufactured, processed or otherwise used at its facility.

Holland 1916, Inc., of 1340 Burlington Street, North Kansas City, Mo., failed to file the disclosure reports with state and federal authorities for the calendar years 2006, 2007 and 2008, according to a consent agreement and final order filed in Kansas City, Kan.

As required by the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA), companies must file the reports to disclose the types of toxic chemicals in excess of certain threshold amounts that they manufactured, processed or otherwise used during a calendar year. The reports provide an important source of information to residents of surrounding communities.

An inspection of Holland 1916’s facility in August 2009 showed that the company had not filed the proper reports showing it manufactured, processed or otherwise used the chemicals toluene, chromium and nickel in excess of the applicable threshold quantities for the three calendar years.
Holland 1916 is required to file the annual reports because it manufactures or processes more than 25,000 pounds of these chemicals, and otherwise uses more than 10,000 pounds of these chemicals per year.

As part of the consent agreement, Holland 1916, Inc., has certified that it is now in compliance with all requirements of EPCRA and its regulations.

EPCRA was enacted by Congress on October 17, 1986, as an outgrowth of concern over the protection of the public from chemical emergencies and dangers. Previously this had been covered by state and local regulatory authorities. After the catastrophic accidental release of methyl isocyanate at Union Carbide's Bhopal, India, facility in December 1984, and a later toxic release from a West Virginia chemical plant, it was evident that national public disclosure of emergency information was needed.