EPA fines Southern California metal finishers for irresponsible hazardous waste disposal

Five Southern California metal finishing companies will pay fines totaling more than $230,000 for violating the Clean Water Act and hazardous waste regulations in Compton, Paramount, Ontario and Sun Valley, according to an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announcement Thursday.

“This multi-year effort in Southern California is part of EPA’s commitment to bring environmental justice to residents and workers in communities unfairly burdened by the risks from hazardous waste,” EPA Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest Jared Blumenfeld said. “Metal plating facilities, often located close to neighborhoods, must ensure they comply with federal laws to prevent harm to the community and the environment.”

By their nature, these companies generate hazardous materials that must be properly disposed of in order to protect public health. The materials include heavy metals laced sludge, spent plating solutions and corrosive liquids, the disposal of which is regulated by the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

The companies penalized by the EPA are Anaplex Corp. – which will pay out the largest fee, of $142,200 – Barkens Hard Chrome, Bowman Plating Co., Alumin-Art Plating Co. and R.L. Anodizing and Plating. A majority of the companies are based along Interstate 710, meaning their pollution disproportionately affected lower income segments of Los Angeles County.