MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- Some environmentalists are criticizing state regulators for failing to publicly reveal potentially toxic contamination at an electronic parts plant in Myrtle Beach.

Department of Health and Environmental Control records show AVX Corporation notified the agency in 1995 after the company could not get rid of a chemical (trichloroethylene) which had seeped in to the groundwater. AVX paid a $7,000 fine as part of an agreement with DHEC, but the company did not admit any wrongdoing.

Environmental attorney Kevin Madonna in New York says he's surprised the information was not released.

DHEC spokesman Thom Berry says the agency made no attempt to hide the information. Berry says there are thousands of contaminated sites in the state and the AVX site was not an imminent threat.