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Braintree Manufacturer Agrees to Pay $10,447 for Environmental Violations

Release Date: 09/20/2005
Contact Information:

Contact: Sheryl Rosner ([email protected]), EPA Office of Public Affairs, (617) 918-1865

For Immediate Release: September 20, 2005; Release # sr050903

BOSTON - A Braintree manufacturer has agreed to pay a $10,447 penalty to settle claims by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that it failed to disclose information about hazardous materials on its property, as required by federal law. Employ & Ability manufactures disposable instant cold and hot thermal packs and sells medical components, such as pregnancy test kits.

EPA alleged that the company failed to file required Tier II forms, which list specific volume amounts and types of hazardous chemicals that are stored on a facility's property during the prior calendar year. The forms must be filed each year with the Local Emergency Planning Committee, the State Emergency Response Commission and the local fire department pursuant to the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act.

In this case, the company failed to provide Tier II forms in 2001, 2002 and 2003 for ammonium nitrate, a reactive hazardous chemical stored at the facility in excess of the 10,000 pound threshold planning quantity. When contaminated with oil, charcoal or other organic substances, or if heated in a confined area that allows high pressure to build up, ammonium nitrate can explode. When heated, it gives off toxic gases of nitrogen oxides. The facility is located close to a densely populated area.

Related Information:
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)