CORPORATE CRIME: Foundry in Columbia, Pa. nailed for Hazardous Waste Violations

Paul W. Zimmerman Foundries Co. has agreed to pay a $30,000 penalty for violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the federal law governing the treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste, at its brass foundry in Columbia, PA. RCRA is designed to protect public health and the environment, and avoid costly cleanups, by requiring the safe storage and disposal of hazardous waste. Federal and state inspectors found several violations of RCRA regulations, including improper storage of tons of lead-containing waste, failure to label hazardous waste and mark the storage period of this material, failure to conduct inspections of the hazardous waste storage area and to train employees on hazardous waste management. The company also had no emergency plan to deal with hazardous waste releases. $30k seems like just a slap on the wrist.