CHICAGO, Illinois, April 30, 2008 (ENS) – A defunct metal plating company in a Chicago residential area has left its property littered with drums full of hazardous waste that state environmental officials warn are a danger to the surrounding community.
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director Doug Scott has asked the state Attorney General’s Office to proceed with enforcement action against James Mazzochi, doing business as Chicago Plating Company, Inc., for numerous violations of the Environmental Protection Act concerning the improper handling of hazardous wastes.
The facility, located at 1400 West 31st Place in the densely populated Bridgeport neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side, is not being maintained in a safe manner, according to inspectors from the Illinois EPA.
The agency is concerned about the potential of fire, explosion or the release of hazardous waste into the environment.
Chicago Plating ceased operation in late 2007
after 30 years in business, but numerous
containers of hazardous wastes remain
in buildings and on facility property.
After twice being refused access to the facility, on March 28 officials from the Illinois EPA, accompanied by Cook County law enforcement officials, inspected the facility under an Administrative Inspection Warrant.
During the inspection, numerous unlabeled drums, which were suspected to contain hazardous wastes, were found, as well as pails containing unidentified materials and other potential sources of contamination.
Subsequent sample results confirmed the presence of hazardous levels of cadmium, chromium, lead, selenium and reactive cyanide.
The agency believes that the site poses a substantial danger to human health and the environment.
Due to the seriousness of the situation and the risk of human endangerment and Mazzochi’s apparent unwillingness to take the necessary steps to remedy the situation, the Illinois EPA is asking the attorney general to file a complaint seeking a preliminary injunction requiring that the site be cleaned up.
The agency will continue to work with the Illinois Attorney General to obtain information necessary to determine the proper course of action and will provide technical assistance as needed.
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