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U.S. Chrome Settles Air and Hazardous Waste Violations at Norristown, Pa. Plant

Release Date: 4/8/2003
Contact Information: Donna Heron, 215-814-5113

Donna Heron, 215-814-5113

PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced that U.S. Chrome Corporation of Pennsylvania has agreed to pay a $160,000 penalty to resolve alleged hazardous waste and Clean Air Act violations at its Norristown, Pa. facility. The plant, located at 750 W. Washington St., is engaged in the machining, assembly, repair, and chrome electroplating of specialty metal parts.

EPA cited the company for violations related to its use of hexavalent chromium in five electroplating tanks. Hexavalent chromium – which is linked to lung cancer, other respiratory ailments, and allergic reactions -- is a hazardous substance regulated by the Clean Air Act and state and federal hazardous waste rules.

According to the settlement agreement, joint inspections with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PaDEP) in February 2001 revealed numerous violations of hazardous waste storage, inspection, employee training, emergency planning and recordkeeping requirements. In addition, EPA cited the company for violating monitoring, equipment operation, and recordkeeping requirements of Clean Air Act regulations.

The settlement requires that U.S. Chrome to complete a cleanup of two dirt and gravel floor areas inside the facility building that are contaminated with hazardous substances. The company is in the process of excavating and disposing of approximately 170 tons of chromium-contaminated soil, at an estimated cost of about $30,000.

As part of the settlement, the company neither admitted nor denied liability for the alleged violations.