News Release

Post Falls Company Pays $6,565 for Lead Reporting Violation

September 30, 2004



The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that circuit-board assembler MOR Manufacturing Corporation will pay a penalty of $6,565 for failing to report use of lead at its Post Falls, Idaho facility. The penalty was reduced to reflect MOR’s cooperation during the inspection and enforcement process.

Under the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA) entities that manufacture, import, process or otherwise use certain quantities of potentially harmful chemicals or substances must report those substances and their releases and waste management activities to state and federal environmental agencies. These reports are annually compiled for the public by the EPA as part of its Toxic Release Inventory (TRI).

MOR failed to report its use of lead after the EPA lowered the reporting threshold for lead releases in 2001 from 10,000 pounds to 100 pounds. Before beginning inspecting facilities in 2003 for compliance with the lower reporting threshold, EPA Region 10 conducted an extensive outreach campaign beginning in 2001 to ensure facilities that potentially used lead were made aware of the change in threshold. This campaign included mailings to potentially affected companies, such as MOR, and free workshops explaining the new requirements.

Lead is a highly toxic metal that was used for many years in products found in and around our homes. Lead may cause a range of health effects, from behavioral problems and learning disabilities, to seizures and death. Children six years old and under are most at risk, because their bodies are growing quickly.