Business News

EPA Reaches Agreement With Champion Packaging on Clean-Air Violations

Monday 14. January 2008 - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has reached an agreement with Champion Packaging and Distribution Inc. on alleged clean-air violations at the company's plant at 1840 Internationale Parkway, Woodridge, Ill.

The agreement, which includes a $156,800 penalty and an environmentally beneficial project, resolves EPA allegations that Champion failed to get state construction and operating permits for its chemical mixing and packaging operation that makes windshield washer fluid and cleaning compounds.

For its environmental project, Champion will reduce the content of volatile organic compounds in some of its windshield washer products by approximately 80 percent. The project is expected to reduce emissions of VOCs, which are also hazardous air pollutants, to the atmosphere by about 1.7 million pounds for each of the years 2008 and 2009.

Volatile organic compounds contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone (smog). Smog is formed when a mixture of pollutants react on warm, sunny days. Smog can cause 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.

Hazardous air pollutants may cause serious health effects including birth defects and cancer. They may also cause harmful environmental and ecological effects.