EPA Reaches Settlement with California Foundry

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that it has reached a settlement with a foundry over violations of federal hazardous waste handling laws.

East Bay Brass Foundry, Richmond, Calif., is a non-ferrous foundry, specializing in brass, aluminum and occasionally lead castings. The company generates lead contaminated waste which is a federally regulated hazardous waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. The facility has been operating since 1947.

East Bay Brass Foundry was inspected by the EPA on March 18, 2004 and several RCRA violations, which governs hazardous waste handling, storage and disposal, were discovered.

To resolve this complaint, East Bay Brass Foundry will pay a $15,000 penalty.

The EPA inspectors found that East Bay Brass Foundry:

• failed to make a hazardous waste determination;

• failed to obtain a permit or interim status for storage of hazardous waste; and

• failed to ensure personnel are thoroughly familiar with waste handling procedures.