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The U.S. Attorney's office has charged 63-year old Mark Kamholz of West Seneca and Tonawanda Coke with 15 counts of violating the Federal Clean Air Act. They’re accused of releasing benzene into the air through an unreported valve and not using a required device to reduce pollution.

Four charges have been filed for storing, treating and disposing of hazardous materials without a permit.

The defendants are also accused of obstructing justice during a federal inspection by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last spring.

Tonawanda Coke has been the target of local environmental groups and plant neighbors because of emissions and health problems.

"Whether or not the effects the residents suffered as reported are as a result of the particular violations here today I'm not a scientist nor a doctor so I can't comment on that,” said U.S. Attorney William Hochul. “Suffice it to say that today the grand jury accused these two defendants of violating both of those laws by releasing Benzene into the air."

Kamholz faces a maximum fine of $250,000 and five years in prison and Tonawanda Coke faces a fine of up to $500,000.

Both Kamholz and a representative for Tonawanda Coke will be arraigned in U.S. District Court on Tuesday.