Northrop to Pay Fine in Toxic Waste Case

Northrop Corp. has agreed to pay $202,500 in penalties for violating state hazardous waste laws at its Hawthorne plant, state officials announced Thursday.

Settling a lawsuit filed by the state attorney general’s office, Northrop also agreed to spend $300,000 on hazardous waste reduction and $150,000 more to employ two environmental workers at the aerospace plant.

Inspectors with the state Department of Health Services observed 28 different types of hazardous waste violations during three visits to the plant at 1 Northrop Ave. in June, July and August of 1989, health officials said.

Deputy Atty. Gen. Brian Hembacher said Thursday that the most serious of the violations involved the unauthorized disposal on plant property of hazardous waste that included coolant, chromic oxide and paint.