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EPA Cites Malter International for Toxic Chemical Reporting Violations

Release Date: 5/26/2000
Contact Information: Roy Seneca (215) 814-5567

Roy Seneca, 215-814-5567

PITTSTON, Pa. – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has cited Malter International for violating the federal toxic chemical release reporting statute at its chemical manufacturing facility in West Wyoming, Pa., and its former plant in Pittston, Pa.

EPA proposes a $132,000 penalty for the company’s alleged failure to file timely reports on several hazardous chemicals stored in 1997 at its Pittston plant, which was destroyed by fire on September 1997, and later stored in 1997 and 1998 at its new facility in West Wyoming, Pa. (Note: EPA alleges reporting violations, not unlawful releases of these chemicals.)

This administrative action was taken under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), which requires companies that store more than a threshold amount of certain hazardous chemicals to notify state and local emergency response agencies and the local fire departments about the health risks associated with the chemicals, and safety precautions for handling or for accidental exposure.

EPA investigated the company’s compliance with EPCRA after the September 1997 fire. The Luzerne County Emergency Management Agency advised EPA that the company had failed to file required reports on its chemical inventory – which complicated the local emergency response representatives’ ability to respond to this fire.

EPA’s investigation revealed that the company had not submitted timely reports of its storage of eight hazardous chemicals at the Pittston plant: hydrogen flouride, sulfuric acid, ammonium hydroxide, calcium hypochlorite, ferric chloride, kloronate (a mixture); sodium hydroxide, and sodium hypochlorite. EPA also alleges that the company did not file timely reports of its storage of aluminum sulfate and sodium hypochlorite at the West Wyoming facility.

The company may request a hearing to contest the alleged violations and proposed penalties.

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