7 California Companies Fined for Failing to Report 285 Tons of Hazardous Waste
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has penalized seven California companies for not filing biennial hazardous waste reports with the agency. The companies collectively missed filing on more than 285 tons of the targeted materials, EPA said, and each company paid a $2,500 fine for the oversight.
EPA noted that even in very small amounts, hazardous waste can cause severe health effects. The federal Resource and Conservation Act requires companies that generate more than 2,200 pounds of hazardous waste or more than 2.2 pounds of acute hazardous waste a month to report every other year to the EPA the quantities, types, and dispositions of their hazardous wastes. The seven companies failed to make those required reports but have now settled with the agency.
The cited companies, located throughout the state, included Achaogen Inc. in South San Francisco; Ameriflight Inc. in Burbank; Bioneer Inc. in Alameda; Ceradyne Inc. in Irvine; Copper Clad Multilayer Products Inc. in Anaheim; Golden State M & P Lab Inc in Arleta; and Heath Ceramics in Sausalito.
“The biennial reports provide the EPA, the state, and local communities with important information on what hazardous wastes are generated and stored in their communities,” said Jeff Scott, director of the EPA’s Waste Management Division for the Pacific Southwest region. “We would like to see all companies meet the upcoming March 1, 2010 deadline rather than be subject to enforcement and fines for failing to report.”
EPA noted the reports collect information about the changes in waste volume and toxicity that can be used to measure the impact of the EPA’s efforts in the area of pollution prevention and waste minimization. The data also is used to evaluate the effect of regulations and policies on companies that generate hazardous waste. In 2008, approximately 2,400 California companies filed their 2007 reports. The deadline for filing the 2009 report is March 1, 2010.