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EPA SETTLES ACTION AGAINST AEROQUIP CORPORATION AND AEROQUIP-VICKERS INC. FOR ALLEGED VIOLATIONS OF THE CLEAN AIR ACT

Release Date: 06/15/2000
Contact Information: Dawn Harris-Young, (404) 562-8421, harris-young.dawn@epa.gov

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today the settlement of an enforcement action against Aeroquip Corporation and Aeroquip-Vickers Inc. (collectively Aeroquip), for alleged violations of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) requirements of the Clean Air Act at its Fitzgerald, GA facility. Aeroquip agreed to settle the case for a $400,000.00 penalty. John H. Hankinson, Jr., EPA Regional Administrator in Atlanta, said "Enforcement actions, such as this, reflect the Agency's commitment to the Clean Air Act and ensuring compliance with the requirements. The environmental threat from CFCs is serious and well-documented; therefore, EPA will continue to aggressively enforce the laws regulating their use." Based on a tip from a former employee of the facility, the complaint filed by the United States alleged that Aeroquip did not use certified technicians to repair equipment containing CFCs, and did not use CFC recovery equipment, as required by the Clean Air Act. The stratospheric ozone layer protects the earth from ultraviolet (UV-B) radiation. According to a national and international consensus, refrigerants like CFCs and hydrochlorofluorocarbons must be restricted because of the risk of depletion of the ozone layer. When depletion of the ozone occurs, the potential for UV-B radiation exposure increases, resulting in potential health and environmental harm including increased incidence of skin cancers and cataracts, suppression of the immune system, and damage to plants including crops and aquatic organisms. Persons interested in obtaining additional information about CFCs or would like to report suspected violations are encouraged to call EPA's toll-free hotline at 1-800-296-1996 or visit EPA''s web site at www.epa.gov/ozone.