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Reading Brick Maker to Pay Penalty for Lax Chemical Reporting

Release Date: 11/6/2000
Contact Information: Ruth Wuenschel, (215) 814-5540

Ruth Wuenschel, (215) 814-5540

PHILADELPHIA – Glen-Gery Corp., a Reading, Pa.-based brick and concrete manufacturer, will pay a $93,295 penalty to settle an EPA complaint alleging toxic chemical reporting violations at three Pennsylvania plants and one Virginia facility.

In its March 2000 complaint, EPA alleged that the company did not file required annual reports on hazardous chemicals manufactured at the company’s plants in Shoemakersville, York, and Bigler, Pa.; and Manassas, Va.. Note: the complaint involved reporting violations, and not unlawful releases of these chemicals.

EPA cited the company for violating the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), which requires companies that use more than a threshold amount of toxic chemicals to file an annual toxic chemical release form with EPA and the state. Companies must also report both routine and accidental releases of toxic chemicals, as well as the maximum amount of any chemicals at the facility and the amount contained in wastes transferred off-site.

The reports provide the basis for EPA’s annual “Toxic Release Inventory,” which is provided to the public and regulatory authorities to track pollution trends and identify pollution prevention opportunities.

EPA alleged that Glen-Gery plants failed to submit timely reports for the following toxic chemicals.

FACILITY CHEMICAL REPORTING YEARS
Shoemakersville, Pa. hydrochloric acid (aerosol) 1997
hydrogen flouride
processed manganese compounds

York, Pa. hydrogen flouride 1996, 1997 and 1998

Bigler, Pa. hydrogen flouride 1996 and 1997

Manassas, Va. hydrogen flouride 1997 and 1998

In the settlement papers, the company neither admitted nor denied liability for the cited violations, but certified that it is now in compliance with applicable reporting requirements.