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EPA Files Complaint Against R.I. Electroplating Shop

Release Date: 08/16/2001
Contact Information: Mark Merchant, EPA Press Office (617-918-1013)

BOSTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today the filing of an administrative complaint against a Johnston, R.I. electroplating company.

EPA's complaint claims that the G. Tanury Plating Co., which specializes in coating musical instruments and jewelry with nickel, silver, gold, palladium, rhodium and acid tin, did not handle its hazardous waste in accordance with state and federal regulations that govern the generation, treatment, storage and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes.

For the violations, EPA is proposing a fine of $123,971.

The company's operations primarily generate copper caustic waste, metal cyanide waste, acid nickel waste and waste methanol. An inspection was conducted at G. Tanury by EPA on April 12, 2000. EPA found the company did not properly manage its hazardous waste tank system; failed to provide hazardous waste training to employees; failed to make adequate hazardous waste determinations; failed to properly manage hazardous waste containers; and failed to provide adequate notification for waste restricted from land disposal. EPA and Tanury have continually been discussing compliance issues since the inspection.

The most significant violation was the mismanagement of the hazardous waste tank system, which was being operated without the required engineering controls and daily inspections that are meant to minimize a potential release of hazardous materials into the environment.

"Fewer controls in a hazardous waste management systems makes it more likely a pollution release will happen, threatening the health of employees and the company's neighbors," said Robert W. Varney, regional administrator of EPA New England. "We hope this action will spur G. Tanury to comply with the law and cut down on the chance its operations will threaten the environment. And EPA also wants the message to go out to other electroplating companies that they need to comply with environmental regulations as well."

This action is part of a larger EPA effort to prevent pollution by the metal-finishing industry and make sure they are in compliance with environmental laws. The effort includes not only taking administrative action against companies as EPA did in this case, but also assisting and educating them about relevant environmental regulations.

Much of the work with the metal industry is being done through EPA's Metal Finishing Strategic Goals Program, a three-year-old program that is encouraging metal finishers to meet aggressive pollution reduction goals by the year 2002. The national program was launched in partnership with industry groups, environmental groups, and state and local regulators.

Companies that sign up for the program – so far about 50 have throughout New England – receive compliance and pollution prevention assistance. And, as companies attain certain pollution reduction goals, EPA and state environmental regulators will reward them with greater regulatory flexibility.

More information on federal regulations and how to prevent pollution is available by visiting the Web site www.epa.gov/region1/assistance/metalfinishing.