West Los Angeles : EPA Seeks Fine for Poisons
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a $219,000 penalty against a West Los Angeles company for allegedly violating federal laws designed to protect the public and the environment from imported toxic chemicals.
The EPA filed a civil complaint Monday against Western Star Color and Chemical, 6377 Drexel Ave. According to the complaint, Western Star failed to file the required notices alerting the EPA to its importation of three chemical substances that are not on the agency’s list of accepted toxic substances. The company filed for an exemption based on the low volumes of the chemicals used, but not until two years after importation began, according to the EPA.
The company has the right to present its case before an administrative law judge, who will determine whether to impose the fine. Company owner Bernard Krantz said a hearing has been scheduled for May 23 but declined further comment.
EPA officials said Western Star failed to submit certification for at least 30 shipments. The EPA requires that companies alert it when importing chemicals that are not among the more than 70,000 listed under the Toxic Substances Control Act.
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