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U.S. EPA, CATALYTICA SETTLE RIGHT-TO-KNOW CASE FOR $71, 000

Release Date: 5/9/2001
Contact Information: Leo Kay, U.S. EPA, 415/744-2201

     SAN FRANCISCO   The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently settled a complaint against an East Palo Alto-based pharmaceutical and pesticide manufacturer that requires the company to pay $71,673 for alleged federal community right-to-know violations.  

     The U.S. EPA alleged that the Catalytica facility at 1990 Bay Road failed to file complete and accurate reports estimating its releases of toxic chemicals to the environment.  The chemicals requiring disclosure under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act included   methanol, hexane and several other compounds.
         
     "Companies that handle hazardous chemicals owe it to their employees and the surrounding community to accurately report how those materials are being used, stored and disposed of," said Enrique Manzanilla, director of the EPA's Cross Media Division in San Francisco.  "We intend on making sure that communities remain aware of chemical use in their neighborhood."

     EPA staff discovered the alleged violations during an inspection in June 1998, and issued a complaint to Catalytica in September 1999.  The EPA alleged one count of failure to submit a timely Toxic Chemical Release Inventory Form, nine counts of failures to submit complete and accurate forms, and eight counts of failures to maintain complete records supporting forms.
     
The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act requires annual reports to the EPA and the state from facilities that use or manufacture certain toxic chemicals over a specified amount.  The reports provide estimates of the amounts of each toxic chemical released to the environment, treated or recycled on site, or transferred off-site to another facility.  Each year the EPA publishes a report entitled the Toxic Release Inventory, which summarized the prior year's submissions and provides detailed trend analysis of toxic chemical releases.  

      A copy of the TRI Public Data Release can be obtained by calling (800) 535-0202.  Environmental databases, including TRI data, can also be accessed via the Internet by visiting U.S. EPA Envirofacts Warehouse Home Page at www.epa.gov/enviro.