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Bellevue Company Pays $26,180 for Lead Reporting Violation

Release Date: 11/24/2004
Contact Information: Dave Somers
somers.david@epamail.epa.gov
(206) 553-2571

November 24, 2004


The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that circuit-board assembler Printed Circuits Assembly Corporation (PCA) will pay a penalty of $26,180 for failing to report the use of lead at its Bellevue, Washington facility.

Under the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA) entities that manufacture, import, process or otherwise use certain quantities of potentially harmful chemicals or substances must report those substances and their releases and waste management activities to state and federal environmental agencies. These reports are annually compiled for the public by the EPA as part of its Toxic Release Inventory (TRI).

PCA failed to report its use of lead after the EPA lowered the reporting threshold for lead releases in 2001 from 10,000 pounds to 100 pounds. Before beginning inspecting facilities in 2003 for compliance with the lower reporting threshold, EPA Region 10 conducted an extensive outreach campaign beginning in 2001 to ensure facilities that potentially used lead were made aware of the change in threshold. This campaign included mailings to potentially affected companies, such as PCA, and free workshops explaining the new requirements.

Lead is a highly toxic metal that was used for many years in products found in and around our homes. Lead may cause a range of health effects, from behavioral problems and learning disabilities, to seizures and death. Children six years old and under are most at risk, because their bodies are growing quickly.

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Related Links:

Toxic Release Inventory Program (epa.gov/tri/)

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