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EPA: Foundry Sand Non-toxic |
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Wednesday, 15 April 2009 |
By MIKE BURKHOLDER
Managing Editor
ST. MARYS — The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last week issued a ruling regarding cleanup on a site owned by a local foundry.
On Friday, the Ohio EPA sent a letter to the St. Marys Foundry outlining its findings during an inspection of the site regarding a complaint of improper disposal of construction and demolition materials, as well as the contents of the spent foundry sand. In the letter, Ohio EPA Environmental Specialist Brent Goetz told foundry officials some of the debris must be removed from brick used as a road on the parcel.
During a Feb. 27 inspection, EPA officials reportedly found a small amount of solidwaste throughout the spent foundry sand. These items included rubber gloves, buckets, as well as pieces of refractory furnace lining.
Goetz, in his letter, told foundry officials the brick is considered clean, hard fill and OK to use as a road base. However, Goetz said the wood and wires, as well as the materials found throughout the spent foundry sand, would have to be removed and disposed of properly.
Goetz also inquired about sample data supporting that the spent foundry sand is non-toxic — a requirement under EPA rules. Foundry officials did not have the data and the EPA returned March 12 to observe the pulling of samples for testing.
Three samples each of the foundry sand and refractory furnace lining were pulled, as well as one sample each of olivine and iron oxide. In his letter, Goetz mentioned the fact that the majority of the wood, wire and other debris had been removed from the brick.
On March 30, results were submitted to the EPA and supported that the spent foundry sand fell within the toxicity standards to be deemed non-toxic. Goetz said the EPA, based upon the results, concurred that the spent foundry sand can be considered non-toxic under the EPA’s definition of exempt solidwaste.
While there is no requirement to do so, Goetz encouraged foundry officials to take annual samples of the foundry sand for analysis. He also said foundry officials should supply documentation, including disposal receipts and photographs of the cleaned area, to the EPA.
“I can’t rank it, but I would say these are fairly minor (violations),” EPA spokesperson Dina Pierce told The Evening Leader. “It certainly is minor compared to if the foundry sand came back with some significant toxicity.”
Pierce said while the EPA inspects facilities with permits on a regular basis, accusations of illegal dumping often come from residents. Pierce also said the infractions found at the foundry lot are not uncommon.
“It’s not unheard of to have that,” Pierce said of the debris found on the lot. “From what I am hearing it sounds like they are being cooperative.”
Calls placed to the foundry seeking comment were not returned. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 29 April 2009 )
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