Fostoria manufacturer fined for EPA violations

10/1/2004

FOSTORIA - A Fostoria manufacturer that produces aluminum extruded parts will pay a $12,000 penalty for hazardous waste violations, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency said.

The EPA said an inspection in June, 2000, found Indalex Inc. failed to properly evaluate spent caustic wash used in production. The agency agreed to exempt the wash from hazardous waste regulations if Indalex reused it.

However, when EPA did another inspection in May, 2003, the agency found the company had frequently shipped the caustic wash off-site as a hazardous waste, and was storing some of the wash in an uncertified tank, among other violations. A follow-up inspection in November found the same violations, the EPA said.

EPA officials said the company has since obtained certification for its storage tank and has corrected the other violations.