CEH Sues Akrochem for Illegally Failing to Report Importing 1M Pounds of Chemicals
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Oakland, California – Today the nonprofit Center for Environmental Health (CEH) filed a lawsuit against the company Akrochem Corporation for failing to report imports of more than 1 million pounds of chemicals to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a violation of the Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
Akrochem makes plasticizers, fire retardants, silicone products, rubber chemicals, and other products and is headquartered in Akron, Ohio. The lawsuit details eight chemicals the company imported between 2016-2019 in quantities totalling more than 1 million pounds.
For years, CEH has systematically analyzed the import data for companies and chemicals and worked collaboratively with companies to report that data to the EPA.
“It is unconscionable for companies who import vast quantities of chemicals to fail to report that information to the U.S. EPA,” said Shakoora Azimi-Gaylon, Senior Director of Toxic Exposure and Pollution Prevention at CEH. “Without that vital information, EPA does not have the information they need to protect public health and our environment.”
“CEH works to fill these major gaps in reporting,” said Kizzy Charles-Guzman, Chief Executive Officer at the Center for Environmental Health. “We are proud to be a nonprofit watchdog on hazardous chemicals, protecting communities from toxic exposures.”
CEH announced a recent settlement agreement with Lanco Manufacturing Corporation, a manufacturer and distributor of paints, sealants, and adhesives. Bob Sussman, CEH counsel and former EPA official said of the settlement, “We are pleased to have reached an agreement with Lanco, whose diligent response to CEH’s concerns is to be commended.”
Learn more about CEH’s work and landmark legal agreements as a national watchdog.
The Center for Environmental Health (CEH) is a 28-year-old organization leading the nationwide effort to protect people from toxic chemicals to achieve a cleaner, safer, healthier world.