BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced in September that it had settled with Lucas-Milhaupt Warwick LLC over allegations the company failed to file the proper “Toxic Release Inventory” (TRI) reporting forms for copper and silver for 2012, 2013 and 2014, in violation of the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act.
The company will pay $69,265 in penalties.
The settlement will help ensure the public knows of potential chemical releases occurring at the company’s facility. Lucas-Milhaupt Warwick makes silver-and copper-based brazing and soldering filler metals and fluxes. These products are used in the appliance, construction and metal-working industries.
"Failing to file toxic inventory forms deprives the community of its right to know about releases and the presence of chemicals in facilities in their community," said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA's New England Office. "Companies that work with or produce potentially hazardous chemicals must follow federal reporting requirements so the community is not deprived of its right to know about potential chemical releases that may affect public health and the environment."
The TRI, a resource for leaning about toxic chemical releases, supports informed decision making by communities, government agencies, companies and more. Information gathered from TRIs can help in the clean up of industrial pollution.