PPG will pay the federal government $59,000 as part of a settlement over allegations involving hazardous waste at research and manufacturing facilities in Springdale, PA.

The Environmental Protection Agency alleges that the Pittsburgh-based coatings manufacturer violated provisions of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, based on observations dating to a September 2013 inspection. In the agreement settled upon, the Pittsburgh-based paint and coatings manufacturer has certified compliance with RCRA and does not admit liability.

By Fletcher6 [CC BY 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

The Environmental Protection Agency alleges that PPG violated provisions of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

The EPA details the alleged violations, including buckets of hazardous waste stored improperly onsite; the counts include operating a hazardous waste storage facility without a permit, failure to keep proper documentation, and failure to keep containers of hazardous waste closed except when necessary.

The material allegedly mishandled includes waste paint, waste solvents and waste fluorescent bulbs; hazards involved include ignitable waste, cadmium, chromium, lead and methyl ethyl ketone.

Two Facilities

PPG’s Springdale site comprises a research facility and a manufacturing plant. Both facilities were involved in the alleged violations. Springdale lies about 15 miles northeast of PPG’s downtown Pittsburgh headquarters.

According to the EPA's report, the manufacturing plant produces coatings for automakers, industrial and clear coatings, coil and extrusion coatings, and inks, paints and electromagnetic coatings for consumer electronics. The report also makes reference to golf ball coatings.

“PPG fully cooperated with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in its review of the Springdale, Pennsylvania site in 2013 and has further optimized its material handling practices at the facility since the EPA’s inspection,” PPG spokesperson Mark Silvey said in a statement to PaintSquare News. “Compliance with environmental requirements is a top priority for PPG as evidenced by the company’s exemplary record at its Springdale facility.”

EPA

PPG’s Springdale site comprises a research facility and a manufacturing plant.

According to online EPA documentation, the most recent previous waste violation allegation at the Springdale facility was in 1982.

“The settlement reflects the company’s compliance efforts, and its cooperation with EPA in the investigation,” the EPA said in a statement.