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LA-area company ordered to pay $450,000 for toxics cleanup

Release Date: 05/23/2006
Contact Information: Francisco Arcaute, (213-244-1815)

LOS ANGELES – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently ordered Advanced Packaging and Products to pay for a cleanup estimated to cost $450,000 that will address hazardous substances released onto the property following a January fire at the paint company’s facility in Carson, Calif. that killed the plant manager and severely burned two employees.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department put out the fire at the paint and automotive liquids blending and packaging firm on 1631 Maple Blvd. in Carson. The Fire Department’s Health Hazardous Materials Division then began cleaning up the site before requesting the EPA’s assistance. EPA officials discovered over 400 hazardous substances containers at the site, ranging from 5 gallon cans to a 5,000 gallon tank, containing isopropyl alcohol, toluene, xylene and other flammable materials.

Xylene is a flammable solvent that may result in disturbed vision, dizziness, tremors, cardiac stress, and coma. Toluene is also a flammable solvent that may cause nose and eye irritation, muscle fatigue, and liver and kidney damage.

“The potential health threats to neighborhood businesses and residents require a fast, effective cleanup. We expect the company to clean up all hazardous substances, contaminated materials and chemical runoff left behind by this tragic fire,” said Keith Takata, director of the U.S. EPA’s Superfund program in San Francisco.

The EPA amended a previous order to include Advanced Packaging and Products, PJH Brands, Inc., Steven Renshaw and Golden Root LLC, to compel a response under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act.

If these parties fail to comply with the order, EPA may conduct the response

For more information on the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/superfund/action/law/cercla.htm

For additional photographs, please visit http://www.epaosc.net/image_list.asp?site_id=2120