CHICAGO (Nov. 4, 2004) -- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 5 has reached an agreement with Aexcel Corp., 7373 Production
Dr., Mentor, Ohio, on alleged violations of federal architectural
coating rules. Architectural coatings are paints and similar coverings
used on building exteriors, pavements and curbs. EPA assessed a
$20,000 penalty and the company agreed to complete a $51,000 environmental
project.
"Aexcel will reformulate 34 of its coating products to reduce
smog-causing volatile organic compounds by 25,000 pounds per year," said
Acting Regional Administrator Bharat Mathur. "Smog can cause
serious health problems especially for children and the elderly."
Mathur said EPA is encouraging manufacturers of architectural
coatings to contact EPA if they believe they have violations before
EPA investigates their plants. He said self-disclosure is taken
into consideration when penalties are assessed.
Companies that believe they have violations should contact George
Czerniak, chief of the regional air enforcement branch, at (312)
353-2088. Self-disclosure information is at www.epa.gov/compliance/incentives/auditing/auditpolicy.html.
EPA's agreement with Aexcel resolves allegations that the company
made coatings that exceeded limits on VOCs and did not correctly
label its products.
Volatile organic compounds contribute to the formation of ground-level
ozone, or smog. Smog is formed when a mixture of air pollutants
is baked in the hot summer sun. Smog can cause a variety of respiratory
problems, including coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and
chest pain. People with asthma, children and the elderly are especially
at risk, but these health concerns are important to everyone.
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