DuPont Fails to Report Toxic Chemicals in Studies, Settles for $3.3M
EPA says 57 of the research studies reviewed in 2006 contained information on chemicals that could provide a risk of injury.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Dec. 21 announced that DuPont has agreed to pay a penalty (pdf) of $3.3 million to resolve 57 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) violations.
DuPont failed to immediately notify EPA of research indicating substantial risk found during testing chemicals for possible use as surface protection, masonry protection, water repellants, sealants and paints. TSCA requires companies to inform EPA when they have research demonstrating that a chemical could pose a substantial risk to human health and the environment.
On May 5, 2006, DuPont notified EPA that it had failed to submit chemical toxicity studies on rats as required by TSCA Section 8(e) (pdf). On July 12, 2006, DuPont submitted studies that contained information on chemical toxicity when certain chemicals are inhaled. EPA determined that 57 of the studies contained information on chemicals that could present a substantial risk of injury to health or the environment and therefore subject to the TSCA Section 8(e). Full compliance with TSCA reporting requirements allows EPA to understand and limit, when necessary, potential hazards associated with manufacturing, use, and disposal of chemical substances.
DuPont is a chemical manufacturer that provides products and services for markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel. DuPont is based in Wilmington Del. and operates in approximately 90 countries.