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Eastern Poly Packaging, Inc. Drastically Cuts Emissions; Pays $135,000 For Clean Air Act Violations

Release Date: 04/09/1999
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(#99047) NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Brooklyn's air will be cleaner as a result of an environmental lawsuit settled against Eastern Poly Packaging Inc., the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today. In November 1996, EPA and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District sued Eastern Poly Inc. for operating its facility in the past without proper pollution control equipment. In the face of this lawsuit, Eastern installed the equipment, which has since reduced emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by more than 90 percent. VOCs are a group of pollutants, some toxic, that contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone or smog. In a settlement filed today in Federal Court, Eastern agreed to pay a $135,000 fine for its violations. The settlement also requires Eastern to submit reports to EPA on a quarterly basis to further ensure that the pollution control equipment is operated and maintained properly.

"Eastern is a small company, but it was a significant source of VOCs. By bringing it into compliance, EPA has drastically reduced Eastern's emissions of this pollutant," said Jeanne M. Fox, EPA Region 2 Administrator. "By reducing VOC emissions, we also reduce smog -- this area's most prevalent air pollution problem. Repeated exposure to smog can make people more susceptible to respiratory infection and lung inflammation, and can aggravate preexisting respiratory diseases, such as asthma."

Eastern operates a printing facility that uses inks that contain high concentrations of VOCs. Under New York State's plan to control smog and meet requirements of the federal Clean Air Act, printers located in areas plagued by smog must either use low-solvent inks or install air pollution control equipment to capture VOC emissions. Eastern's facility is located in an area that does not meet federal health-based standards for smog.

For more information contact:
Mary Mears, Press Office
EPA Region 2
290 Broadway
NY, NY 10007-1866
Voice: 212-637-3669 FAX: 212-637-5046 E-Mail: mears.mary@epamail.epa.gov