Stolen Aluminum Could Pose Hazard
A scavenger who stole about 500 pounds of potentially explosive aluminum waste shavings may try to pass it off as scrap aluminum for recycling profit, authorities said.
A crate of lithium aluminum shavings was stolen from R.A.H Industries in the 28000 block of Harrison Parkway in Valencia, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department station in Santa Clarita.
The aluminum was taken sometime between Friday evening and Saturday morning, the report said. It has no monetary value unless recycled as scrap.
Sgt. Don Wyman said the waste is safe to pick up but highly toxic if melted, burned or ground. If mixed or melted with other aluminum, the lithium shavings will explode. Once it starts to burn, it’s also extremely difficult to extinguish, he said.
All area scrap yards and the Los Angeles County Fire Department have been notified. The aluminum shavings should be shipped to a hazardous waste site for disposal, Wyman said.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
