Hazardous-waste fines hit 3 Oahu businesses
The citations allege the firms broke rules regarding the disposal of oil, paint and metal
The state Department of Health recently cited three companies with separate violations of hazardous-waste rules regarding improper disposal of computer monitors, the heavy metal cadmium and used oil.
According to a release from the Health Department's Hazardous Waste Program:
» Lenox Metals LLC faces a $30,500 penalty for improperly disposing of computer monitors at Waimanalo Gulch Municipal Landfill and not complying with record-keeping requirements.
Lenox was paid fees between Jan. 5 and Nov. 29, 2005, to accept the computer monitors from Hawaii businesses, with the understanding it would dispose of them properly. Computer monitors contain lead, mercury and other hazardous materials that require special handling, the Health Department said.
Lenox collects and recycles scrap cardboard, paper and scrap metal.
» Pacific Shipyards International faces a penalty of $47,500 for its inability to prove proper disposal of two 2-ton super-sacks of sand-blast grit contaminated with the heavy metal cadmium. By law, firms must track their hazardous waste from generation to proper disposal, the Health Department said.
The department also alleges that Pacific Shipyards stored two 2-ton super-sacks of sand-blast grit contaminated with lead, paints and solvents beyond a 90-day storage requirement. The company, located at Pier 41, repairs ships and is a large-scale hazardous-waste generator, the DOH said.
» Philip Services Corp. faces a penalty of $22,000 for operating as a used-oil transporter/ transfer facility without a permit, failing to provide secondary containment for used oil and failing to label containers as "Used Oil."
Phillips Services, 91-127 Malakole St., Kapolei, is an environmental contractor that does off-site tank cleaning and hazardous-waste transportation.
In addition to paying the penalties, the companies have been ordered to comply with state hazardous-waste rules for cited violations.
All three companies have requested a hearing.
