Press Release

T – 1 – 19
Meredith Williams, Acting Director

Contact: Russ Edmondson
(916) 323-3372
Russ.Edmondson@dtsc.ca.gov

DTSC Enforcement Action Results in $495,000 in Penalties for
Illegal Storage and Treatment of Hazardous Waste

SACRAMENTO – A series of Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) inspections has resulted in $495,000 in penalties against a Southern California hazardous waste operator for multiple violations of California’s hazardous waste laws.

The civil complaint was filed against Phibro-Tech Inc. on behalf of DTSC by the California Attorney General’s Office. The Los Angeles County Superior Court approved the settlement.

“Operators who violate the state’s hazardous waste laws will be held accountable for their actions and brought into compliance,” said DTSC Acting Director Meredith Williams. “Enforcing hazardous waste laws through actions like this is fundamental to protecting the public and the environment.”

Phibro-Tech operates a chemical manufacturing and hazardous waste recycling facility at 8851 Dice Road in Santa Fe Springs (Los Angeles County).

Violations include, but are not limited to, illegal storage and treatment of hazardous waste (including cyanide and other types of acidic or alkaline waste) and keeping inaccurate hazardous waste records. Phibro-Tech was also using unauthorized equipment. DTSC uncovered the violations through inspections conducted between 2011 and 2015.

Phibro-Tech, which has since corrected the violations, must pay DTSC the $495,000 penalty by Feb. 7, 2019.

See the Phibro-Tech Inc. web page to view documents related to this case.

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FOR GENERAL INQUIRIES: Contact the Department of Toxic Substances Control by phone at (800) 728-6942 or visit www.dtsc.ca.gov. To report illegal handling, discharge, or disposal of hazardous waste, call the Waste Alert Hotline at (800) 698-6942.