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EPA Keeping Tabs on the Environment

Taking care of the environment has become the number one issue for most businesses. Considering the fact that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, has started handing out violations for companies that do not abide by the rules, this has become a serious financial matter. Financial or not, if environmental destruction continues bigger problems will emerge in the future.

The EPA has cited Honeywell Analytics for clean-air violations at the company`s assembly and paper coating plant. According to newly released documents the EPA alleges that Honeywell failed to apply for a state operating permit and used paper coatings with a volatile organic compound content that exceeded state limits. Regional Administrator Thomas Skinner says, "We will take whatever steps are needed to ensure compliance with the Clean Air Act".

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. The mixture triggers a variety of respiratory problems, including coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest pain while people with asthma, children and the elderly are at a significant risk. The fact is, most businesses use these volatile compounds because they tend to be cheaper. However, in the end, with EPA violations, cost rises at one point or another. Thus, when cost stays the same either way, it seems only rational for companies to comply with Environmental Act regulations.