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Foundry in Columbia, Pa. Settles Hazardous Waste Violations

Release Date: 12/12/2005
Contact Information:

Mike Frankel, 215-814-2665

PHILADELPHIA - The Paul W. Zimmerman Foundries Co. has agreed to pay a $30,000 penalty to settle alleged violations of hazardous waste regulations at its brass foundry in Columbia, Pa., the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today.

EPA cited the company for violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the federal law governing the treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste. RCRA is designed to protect public health and the environment, and avoid costly cleanups, by requiring the safe, environmentally-sound storage and disposal of hazardous waste.

A January 2005 inspection by EPA and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection revealed several violations of RCRA regulations, including the following: improperly storing over 6,000 kilograms of lead-containing waste in six containers; failing to place required hazardous waste warning labels on these containers; failing to mark the storage period of this material; failing to conduct required weekly inspections of the hazardous waste storage area; failing to conduct required employee training on hazardous waste management; and failing to have an emergency plan to deal with hazardous waste releases. This case is part of EPA’s foundry enforcement initiative.

The settlement penalty reflects the company’s cooperation with EPA in the investigation and resolution of the alleged violations. As part of the settlement, the company has neither admitted nor denied liability for the alleged violations, but has agreed to certify its compliance with applicable RCRA requirements.

For more information about hazardous waste and RCRA, visit https://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/.