The Center for Environmental Health has initiated legal action against AOC, a chemical manufacturer based in Piperton, Tennessee, for allegedly neglecting to report significant imports of toxic substances to the Environmental Protection Agency. This violation pertains specifically to the Chemical Data Reporting rule mandated under the Toxic Substances Control Act.
CEH's investigation has revealed that AOC omitted reporting millions of pounds of Phthalic Anhydride, Dicyclopentadiene, and Neopentyl Glycol imported between 2016 and 2019. These chemicals are crucially important due to their potential health and environmental impacts.
The CDR rule requires companies to disclose detailed information about the chemicals they manufacture or import, facilitating EPA's assessment of potential risks to human health and the environment. Non-compliance with these reporting requirements undermines efforts to manage chemical exposures and protect vulnerable communities.
Bob Sussman, counsel for CEH and a former EPA official, emphasized the significance of these cases, particularly with the new CDR reporting cycle commencing recently on June 1. He highlighted the consequences for companies failing to adhere to these regulations, especially regarding imported chemicals that pose inherent risks.
The CEH continues to scrutinize import data across various companies and chemicals, anticipating further revelations of non-compliance and subsequent legal actions. This proactive stance aims to reinforce regulatory enforcement and ensure that companies fulfill their obligations under environmental laws.
According to Kizzy Charles-Guzman, CEO of CEH, these findings underscore systemic gaps in safeguarding at-risk populations, including communities of color and low-income communities. CEH positions itself as a vigilant guardian against hazardous chemical exposures, striving to uphold EPA enforcement and safeguard public health.
The EPA emphasizes that accurate CDR reporting is fundamental to its mission of assessing chemical risks comprehensively. The exposure information derived from these reports forms a critical basis for risk evaluations, aiding in the identification and mitigation of potential dangers posed by chemical substances.
