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A&A Metal Finishing Corp. Settles Alleged Hazardous Waste Violations at Baltimore Plant

Release Date: 12/30/2002
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith, (215) 814-5543

Bonnie Smith, (215) 814-5543

PHILADELPHIA – A&A Metal Finishing Corp. has settled alleged violations of hazardous waste regulations at the company’s facility at 4000 East Monument Street, Baltimore, Md., the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today.

In an administrative consent agreement with EPA, A&A has agreed to pay a $30,000 penalty and take several actions to ensure compliance with federal and state hazardous waste regulations.

According to EPA’s March 2002 complaint, inspections by EPA and the Maryland Department of the Environment officials in June and October 2001 revealed violations of the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), which governs 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 disposal of hazardous waste.

EPA alleged that A&A operated a hazardous waste storage facility without the required permit, failed to perform required hazardous waste determinations, improperly stored hazardous waste for more than 90 days, failed to properly label and mark hazardous waste containers, stored hazardous wastes in open containers, and failed to comply with other personnel training, contingency plan, and disposal requirements. The hazardous wastes involved in these alleged violations include industrial wastewater sludge, spent cyanide solution, and zinc plating bath solution.

In addition to the $30,000 penalty, the company has agreed to implement a RCRA employee training program, update its contingency and emergency plans for hazardous chemical releases, and certify its compliance with applicable RCRA regulations.

As part of the settlement, the company neither admitted nor denied liability for the alleged violations.