2 Arrested in Dumping of Toxic Chemicals

Two Brea businessmen were arrested Wednesday for allegedly dumping toxic chemicals into the Orange County sewer system in the toughest enforcement action yet against suspected industrial polluters here, authorities said.

Vinod S. Shah, 47, and Narendra Shah, 39, were arrested by Brea police at their S&B; Plating and Metal Finishing Inc. in the 500 block of Apollo Street.

Both were charged with 54 misdemeanor violations and were each released on $3,000 bail, police said. If convicted, the company could be fined up to $296,500 and the two men jailed for up to six months. Police said they do not know whether the two men are related.

County Sanitation Districts spokeswoman Corinne Clawson said it is the first time criminal charges have been brought by the districts against an alleged industrial polluter and mark an escalation in the county’s fight against illegal dumping of toxic wastes.

Sanitation officials characterized Vinod Shah of Fullerton as a “chronic violator” of discharge requirements. He could not be reached Wednesday, but his attorney, Barry Bisson, said the charges constitute harassment against his client.

“There appears to be a pattern of harassment of Mr. Shah,” he said. “We do not know what the charges are. . . . It looks like somebody somewhere is trying to get some Brownie points before the election. I don’t know who.”

Narendra Shah of Yorba Linda could not be reached for comment either.

The criminal complaint charges the company with illegal acts allegedly committed between last July and Aug. 29 involving dumping concentrations of cadmium, copper, chromium and zinc in highly acidic solutions; discharging without a valid permit and violating the state Health and Safety Code.

Although cadmium and chromium are known carcinogens under some circumstances--cadmium when ingested and chromium with prolonged skin contact--sanitation officials said the amounts allegedly discharged by S&B; are probably not hazardous.