Defending The Consumer » Other Topics

KIK (Virginia) LLC Pleads Guilty and Agrees to Pay Fine for Negligent Discharges to Sewer System

consumer injury lawyer — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:48:16 +0000

The Clean Water Act prohibits discharges into a sewer system of any pollutants that the discharger knows could cause property damage. Bleach is a corrosive chemical that, in sufficient concentration, may damage metal and other materials used in the sewer system and is considered a pollutant under the Clean Water Act.

“Keeping our sewer systems and public treatment works in good condition is a key part of maintaining and improving the quality of our waterways,” said Eileen Sobek, Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “We take seriously our obligation to prosecute those whose conduct risks harm to these important systems.”

The $25,000 in community service payments will be divided equally between the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the National Environmental Education Fund for use in projects to improve water quality in the Salem area. In addition to the criminal fine and community service payment, KIK (Virginia) has agreed to serve one year of probation, during which it will continue to develop and implement an environmental management system that it began developing during the investigation. It also will complete an environmental audit conducted by an independent auditor.

“Dumping bleach into the city’s sewer system risked causing damage to both its sewage treatment equipment and the environment,” said David Dillion, EPA’s Special Agent in Charge in Philadelphia. “It is appropriate that, in addition to the fine, the company will be required to institute a management system so that this never happens again.”

The investigation was conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency with assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and members of the Blue Ridge Environmental Task Force, and was prosecuted by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Environmental Crimes Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia.

-Source the Department of Justice

CPSC Clarifies Requirements of New Children’s Product Safety Laws Taking Effect in February

consumer injury lawyer — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:57:42 +0000

In February 2009, new requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) take effect. Manufacturers, importers and retailers are expected to comply with the new Congressionally-mandated laws. Beginning February 10, 2009, children’s products cannot be sold if they contain more than 600 parts per million (ppm) total lead. Certain children’s products manufactured on or after February 10, 2009 cannot be sold if they contain more than 0.1 percent of certain specific phthalates or if they fail to meet new mandatory standards for toys. The new law requires that domestic manufacturers and importers certify that children’s products made after February 10 meet all the new safety standards and the lead ban. Sellers of used children’s products, such as thrift stores and consignment stores, are not required to certify that those products meet the new lead limits, phthalates standard or new toy standards.,Recalls

Public Affairs Director Julie Vallese to Leave CPSC; Joe Martyak, Chief of Staff, Also Named Acting Director

consumer injury lawyer — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:54:33 +0000

Consumer Product Safety Commission Acting Chairman Nancy Nord announced today that Julie Vallese, Director of the Office of Information and Public Affairs has submitted her resignation and will leave the agency on January 16, 2009.,Recalls

Jardine Expands Recall of Cribs Sold by Babies”R”Us; Cribs Pose Entrapment and Strangulation Hazards

consumer injury lawyer — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:51:24 +0000

The wooden crib slats can break, creating a gap, which can pose an entrapment and strangulation hazard to infants and toddlers.,Recalls

Children’s Hooded Jackets with Drawstrings Recalled by Ms. Bubbles Inc. Due to Strangulation Hazard

consumer injury lawyer — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:48:15 +0000

The jackets have a drawstring through the hood which can pose a strangulation hazard to children. In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on the neck and waist drawstrings in upper garments, such as jackets or sweatshirts.,Recalls

Bicycles with RockShox Bicycle Forks Recalled by SRAM LLC Due to Crash Hazard

consumer injury lawyer — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:45:06 +0000

The steel steerer on the forks can crack, causing the fork to detach from the bicycle frame. This can cause the rider to lose control and crash.,Recalls

Viking Range Corp. Recalls Toasters Due to Shock Hazard

consumer injury lawyer — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:41:56 +0000

Wiring inside the toaster can become loose and contact the toaster body, posing a shock hazard to consumers.,Recalls

Lasko Products to Pay $500,000 Civil Penalty for Failure to Report Defective Fans

consumer injury lawyer — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:38:46 +0000

Lasko Products Inc., of West Chester, Pa., has agreed to pay a $500,000 civil penalty. The penalty, which has been provisionally accepted by the Commission, settles allegations that the company failed to immediately report incidents about its defective portable fans.,Recalls

Boys Reversible Vests Recalled by Bon-Ton Stores Due to Choking Hazard

consumer injury lawyer — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:35:37 +0000

The zipper tabs on these vests fail to meet the children’s torques test standards, posing a choking hazard to children.,Recalls

Faulty Instructions Prompt Recall of Electrical Wiring How-to-Books by The Taunton Press; Shock Hazard to Consumers

consumer injury lawyer — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:32:28 +0000

The books contain several errors in the technical diagrams that could lead consumers to incorrectly install or repair electrical wiring, posing an electrical shock hazard to consumers.,Recalls