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NORTHBOROUGH, MASS., FIRM WILL PAY $112,407 TO SETTLE CLAIM OF HAZARDOUS WASTE VIOLATIONS

Release Date: 02/08/2000
Contact Information: Amy Miller, EPA Press Office (617-918-1042)

BOSTON - A Northborough, Mass. hazardous waste storage facility has agreed to pay $112,407 to settle claims by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that the company failed to file a notice required by federal hazardous waste management laws.

According to the consent agreement filed this week, Zecco Inc. failed to notify EPA that it was receiving and shipping a waste that contains benzene. Benzene is a known carcinogen. Zecco was required to submit the forms requesting a permit modification according to a regulation that went into effect in 1990. Since that date, Zecco has accepted more than 700 shipments of hazardous waste that contains benzene. Zecco had, under its existing license, legally accepted such waste prior to the 1990 regulation, but the 1990 regulation added benzene as a newly regulated substance.

Zecco, which stores, generates and transports hazardous waste, is located at 345 West Main St. In 1998, the company voluntarily provided to EPA New England the initial information that indicated it had failed to file the required request.

"Companies are responsible for knowing about environmental laws meant to protect the public health," said Mindy Lubber, acting regional administrator for EPA New England. "Although Zecco failed to keep track of the necessary permit requirements, the company has since come into compliance and reduced the threat of environmental risks associated with managing hazardous waste."