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Don't Throw Away Flood-Damaged Household Chemicals

Release Date: 09/21/1999
Contact Information: Mary Mears (212) 637-3673 / mears.mary@epa.gov

(#99150) New York, New York -- As thousands of residents in the hardest hit areas of New Jersey start to clean up after devastating floods, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is urging New Jerseyans to avoid mixing household chemicals with flood debris. The chemicals, which include paints, cleaners, pesticides and automotive products, should instead be segregated from other debris caused by the hurricane and disposed of properly during soon-to-be- scheduled household waste collection days. EPA is working with local, county, and state officials to set up household hazardous waste collection days in a few weeks (early October) for those areas of New Jersey most affected by flooding.

"I understand the hardship that residents of New Jersey are enduring and appreciate the fact that they may not want to worry about what they are and are not throwing out. These chemicals can be found in virtually every home and they seem very commonplace, but make no mistake, they can be very dangerous," said Jeanne M. Fox, EPA Regional Administrator. "Routinely used products can harm you if you mix them or otherwise handle them improperly. If you throw them out in the trash or dump them down the drain, they can also contaminate groundwater, upset sewage treatment operations and contaminate the air."

Chemicals considered household hazardous waste include pesticides (including indoor bug spray), kitchen and bathroom cleaners, toilet bowl and sink cleaners, drain openers, aerosol cans, caustic cleaning compounds, fertilizers, paints and varnishes, waste oil, automotive batteries, de-greasers and automotive coolant. The public will be informed of the times and locations of household hazardous waste collection early next week via press release and advertisement in locals papers. The information will also be posted on EPA's web site at www.epa.gov/region02 under "EPA News."

For more information contact:

Mary Mears, Press Office
EPA Region 2
290 Broadway
NY, NY 10007-1866
Voice: 212-637-3669 FAX: 212-637-5046 E-Mail: mears.mary@epamail.epa.gov