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EPA reaches agreement with Tween Brands on clean-air violations

Release Date: 12/04/2006
Contact Information: William Omohundro, (312) 353-8254, omohundro.william@epa.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 06-OPA226

CHICAGO (Dec. 4, 2006) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has reached an agreement with Tween Brands Inc. (formerly known as Too Inc.), 8323 Walton Parkway, New Albany, Ohio, on alleged violations of EPA regulations to protect stratospheric ozone.

The agreement, which includes a $109,849 penalty, resolves EPA allegations that Tween Brands sold or distributed, or offered to sell or distribute, in interstate commerce cans of a confetti string product propelled by an ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbon. The product is marketed under the brand name Silly String.

When CFC depletes the stratospheric ozone layer, dangerous amounts of cancer-causing ultraviolet rays from the sun strike the earth. Production of some of these chemicals was stopped in 1995, and federal law strictly controls their use and handling.

Information on EPA Region 5's air enforcement program is at http://epa.gov/region5/air/enforce/
Potential environmental violations may be reported at http://epa.gov/compliance/complaints/