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U.S. EPA settles hazardous waste case with Los Angeles-based circuit board manufacturer

Release Date: 10/8/2003
Contact Information: Mark Merchant (415) 947-4297

LOS ANGELES -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced that it has reach a $7,320 settlement with a circuit board manufacturer over violations of federal hazardous waste handling laws.

HI Electronics, Inc., which is located at 3048 North Coolidge Avenue in Los Angeles, manufactures printed circuit boards and generates a number of hazardous wastes including spent ferric chloride solution, wastewater treatment sludge, solvents and waste isopropyl alcohol, which is flamable. The facility has been operating since 1986.

HI Electronics was inspected by the EPA on March 1, 2002 and four violations of the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, which governs hazardous waste handling, storage and disposal, were discovered.

The penalty is lower than the penalty sought by EPA, but based on the facility's ability to pay.

The EPA inspectors found that HI:

• failed to make a determination that some of its wastes were hazardous;

• stored hazardous waste without a permit;

• failed to keep hazardous waste containers closed; and

• failed to conduct weekly inspections.

"We consistently find violations of this kind at circuit board manufacturers," said Amy Zimpfer, the acting director of the EPA's Waste Division in the Pacific Southwest. "We're putting these companies on notice that they are responsible for complying with waste regulations and are subject to penalties if they do not. We're pleased that HI corrected its practices"

For more information visit: https://www.epa.gov/RCRA