Metal Recycler Accused of Toxic Chemical Leaks

A metal recycler is leaking a toxic chemical into valuable coastal wildlife habitat and has released radioactive substances that may have reached a storm drain that empties in the Pacific, according to state regulators.

Citing sloppy housekeeping, state water quality officials investigating the plant said they issued notice to Halaco Engineering Inc. this week for six types of violations that were discovered during a pair of inspections last summer.

The alleged infractions focus on shortcomings in the company’s defenses to prevent the escape of contaminants from heaps of slag on its property.

The enforcement action is just the latest in a series of complaints against the recycler.

While the risk to human health appears minimal, the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board is moving swiftly to bring the company into compliance, according to Wendy Phillips, chief of enforcement and remediation for the board. Halaco is under orders to prepare a cleanup plan within 30 days or face penalties of up to $10,000 for each day per violation,

Of more immediate concern is a discharge of ammonia-laced water that officials say is flowing into wetlands at Ormond Beach, a magnet for migratory birds that use the site as a feeding ground.

The discharges, flowing from the east side of the waste pile, contain concentrations of ammonia known to be toxic to fish and wildlife, according to a Feb. 14 letter the water board sent to Halaco.

Dave Gable, environmental compliance manager for Halaco, downplayed any danger that might be posed by the contamination, and promised full cooperation with investigators, although he contested some of the allegations.

“As far as we know, we are complying with the discharge requirements,” Gable said. “We would never knowingly violate these regulations. Halaco takes any violation very seriously and we are going to comply with the rules that are imposed on us.”