NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS: EPA investigates site of Melvindale, Mich. emergency evacuation

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has launched a follow-up investigation of the Reilly Plating/M-Lok facility in Melvindale, Mich. A hydrochloric acid release from the facility on Oct. 16 required a multi-agency emergency response and temporary evacuation of nearly 3,000 area residents. The facility is about 10 miles southwest of downtown Detroit.

The company settled a case with EPA for incomplete Toxic Release Inventory recordkeeping in August 2000, paying a fine of $9,415.