News Releases from Region 01

Metal Products Company Settles with EPA for Chemical Reporting Lapses at Warwick, R.I. Facility

BOSTON – EPA reached a settlement with a Warwick, R.I. company that makes metal products, which will help ensure that the public is aware of the potential for chemical releases in their community.

Lucas-Milhaupt Warwick LLC also agreed to pay a penalty of $69,265 to resolve claims that it 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 makes silver and copper-based brazing and soldering filler metals and fluxes - or cleaning agents - for 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 Toxic Release Inventory is a resource for learning about toxic chemical releases and pollution prevention activities reported by industrial and federal facilities. Toxic Release Inventory data support informed decision-making by communities, government agencies, companies, and others. Timely information from the Toxic Release Inventory can influence health studies as well as the cleanup of industrial pollution.

The company was cooperative with EPA which allowed this matter to be resolved quickly.

More information on Toxic Release Inventory reporting requirements (www.epa.gov/toxics-release-inventory-tri-program/learn-about-toxics-release-inventory)