The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has cited Leed Foundry Inc. for violating hazardous waste and water pollution regulations at its iron foundry in St. Clair, Schuylkill County, Pa.
Leed Foundry produces gray iron castings, such as storm sewer grates, from scrap iron. The company dumped hazardous waste — namely, baghouse dust containing hazardous levels of cadmium and lead -- on the ground and on an outside concrete pad in violation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), which is designed to protect public health and the environment and avoid costly cleanups by requiring the safe, environmentally sound storage, transportation, and disposal of hazardous waste.
EPA also cited Leed Foundry for storm water violations associated with the dumping. The Clean Water Act requires owners of certain industrial and construction operations to obtain a storm water permit and implement "best management practices," including pollution-reducing measures such as covering industrial debris and other pollutants. Storm water runoff at the facility came into contact with baghouse dust and other contaminants before flowing into storm sewers that discharged into nearby Mill Creek. The facility did not obtain a required storm water permit for this discharge until March of 2004.
EPA is proposing a $157,000 penalty for the Clean Water Act violations, and will propose an additional penalty for the RCRA violations after the company presents information on its compliance efforts. The company has the right to a hearing to contest the alleged violations and proposed penalties.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
