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Composite Aquatic Innovations, Inc. Fined Over $4,000 for Chemical Reporting Violations

Release Date: 03/08/2010
Contact Information: Graham Kirn, EPA Toxic Release Inventory Program, (206) 553-5810, kirn.graham@epa.gov; Tony Brown, EPA Public Affairs, (206) 553-1203, brown.anthony@epa.gov

(Seattle, Wash. – March 8, 2010) Composite Aquatic Innovations, Inc. has settled with the Environmental Protection Agency and agreed to pay a $4,480 penalty for alleged violation of the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). The company failed to report its use of the toxic chemical styrene to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI).

Composite Aquatic Innovations, located in Arlington, Wash., failed to promptly submit a Toxic Chemical Release Inventory Report to EPA and the State of Washington for its use of styrene in 2004. The company uses styrene in its process for manufacturing swimming pool bulkheads.

“TRI information allows the public to be aware of what chemicals are being used in their communities and to make decisions based on that information,” said Rick Albright, the Director of EPA’s Office of Air, Waste & Toxics in Seattle. “Without complete data, the effectiveness of TRI as a tool for the public is diminished.”

Styrene is a colorless liquid that evaporates easily and is widely used to make plastics and rubber. Exposure to styrene can affect the nervous system and can cause changes in color vision, fatigue, slowed reaction time, concentration problems, and balance problems. Facilities that manufacture, process, or otherwise use significant quantities of toxic chemicals - such as styrene - are required to report annually to the Toxics Release Inventory on their releases, transfers, and waste management activities. 

For additional information about the Toxics Release Inventory Program, visit:
http://www.epa.gov/tri/
 
For more about toxic effects of Styrene (NIOSH GUIDE): http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/styrene/