The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a settlement with manufacturer Eakas Corp. for alleged Clean Air Act emissions violations at the company’s facility in Peru, Illinois. The company will pay $520,200 in penalties.
Eakas produces various plastic and metal parts for the automotive industry. EPA alleges that the facility exceeded volatile organic compound emission limits from the paint lines used to coat materials for protective or decorative purposes. EPA also alleges Eakas failed to comply with recordkeeping requirements. In addition to the monetary penalty, the company will install a new VOC emission control device and repair an existing VOC emission control device to reduce emissions.
When VOCs evaporate in the atmosphere, they can combine with other gasses to create ground-level ozone. Exposure to ground-level ozone can lead to respiratory problems and can aggravate conditions such as asthma or cause reduced lung function.
Navitas Systems, LLC, an Ann Arbor, Michigan battery manufacturer, will pay $95,000 and furnish other relief to resolve a disability discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced.
According to the EEOC’s lawsuit, Navitas maintained a policy which required any employee returning from medical leave to be 100% free from restrictions. An employee suffered severe injuries to his left arm; his doctor temporarily restricted him from using his left arm but cleared him to return to work using his other arm. The employee could have completed the essential functions of his position using only one arm, but Navitas applied its policy, refused to allow him to return to work and fired him.
Such alleged conduct violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits employment discrimination based on disability. The EEOC filed suit (Case No. 2:24-cv-12478 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan) after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process.
