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EPA CITES COLUMBIA MD. MAN FOR UNLAWFUL SALE OF REFRIGERANT

Release Date: 3/15/1999
Contact Information: David Sternberg (215) 814-5548

COLUMBIA, Md. - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced that it has cited Bruce M. Folkins of Columbia, Md. for the unlawful selling of a refrigerant containing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

The agency seeks a $15,180 penalty against Mr. Folkins for violating the Clean Air Act by selling to people who lacked certification for handling the ozone-destroying chemical.  The EPA also says that Mr. Folkins failed to keep the necessary financial records of these sales.

According to EPA’s March 11, 1999 complaint, Mr. Folkins placed a newspaper advertisement for the sale of the refrigerant CFC-12, also known as 'freon.'  On September 17, 1997, Mr. Folkins allegedly sold two 30-pound canisters of CFC to an undercover FBI agent for $900, without proof of the buyer’s certification to purchase CFCs and without preparing an invoice for the sale.  The administrative complaint also alleges that Mr. Folkins admitted at least three prior sales of CFC-12, and also did not request certifications or complete invoices for these sales.

Scientists worldwide believe that CFCs contribute to the destruction of the earth’s stratospheric ozone layer, which protects the planet from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Ozone loss in the stratosphere is likely to lead to an increase in skin cancer in humans and damage to plant and animal life.

Mr. Folkins has the right to a hearing to contest the alleged violations and the proposed penalty.

For more information on CFCs and stratospheric ozone, please call the Stratospheric Ozone Information Hotline, 1-800-296-1996, or visit EPA's Stratospheric Ozone Protection web site at www.epa.gov/ozone.

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