Firm accused of
waste violations

Bonded Materials allegedly
dumped chemicals improperly

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Star-Bulletin staff

Bonded Materials Co. has been cited by the state Department of Health and ordered to pay $265,144 for hazardous-waste violations.

The alleged violations occurred at two facilities, 150 Puuhale Road and 91-400 Komohana St., the Health Department said.

The agency received a complaint in February 2001 from a former Bonded Materials employee alleging improper disposal of hazardous chemicals. A Health Department inspection subsequently found that Bonded was transporting its old stock of chemicals from Puuhale to Komohana.

The chemicals -- including flammable liquids, resins and other materials -- were dumped into a makeshift "bin" at Komohana that the company built of old pallets and lined with plastic, the department said. The chemicals then were mixed with cement and allowed to dry, and the hardened mixture was thrown into a trash bin, according to the department.

The complainant also alleged that after being told to mix the chemicals in that process, the former employee was not given suitable protective equipment -- just a paper face mask. As a result, the employee said, the chemicals spilled and splashed on him, causing chemical burns to his body and respiratory problems, the department said.

The Health Department's investigators also reported that Bonded Materials stored about a hundred 55-gallon drums at its Komohana facility and that many were rusted, open, bulging on top, dented or leaking.

"Moreover, Bonded did not make a hazardous-waste determination on these drums or on the waste chemicals from Puuhale," the department said.

Bonded was cited by the Health Department on seven counts: treatment and storage of hazardous waste without a permit, failure to make hazardous-waste determinations at Komohana and Puuhale, mismanagement of containers, illegal transportation of hazardous waste and failure to provide appropriate training.

The company was ordered to comply with state hazardous-waste rules according to a state schedule. It has 20 days to respond.

Company officials could not be reached for comment.