EPA Fines Idaho Hazardous Waste Firm

An Idaho hazardous waste firm is facing a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fine of $184,400 for failing to report certain materials.

US Ecology Idaho Inc., of Grand View, failed to report the on-site disposal of 20 chemicals and chemical categories during 2009, the EPA said in a news release. As part of its hazardous waste disposal operations, US Ecology disposed of more than 10,000 pounds each of aluminum, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper and copper compounds, diethanolamine, ethylene glycol, manganese, methyl isobutyl ketone, nickel, nitric acid, selenium, silver, thallium and zinc.

 In addition, the company disposed of more than 100 pounds of lead and lead compounds and more than 10 pounds each of mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls. Many of the chemicals disposed of at the facility are dangerous to humans, the agency said.

US Ecology has submitted the required reports to the EPA and the state of Idaho to resolve the violations and agreed to pay the penalty.