*>EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency For more information If you have questions, comments or need more information about the Plating Inc. site cleanup, contact these EPA team members: For technical questions: David Morrison On-Scene Coordinator 651-706-4116 morrison.david@epa.gov For general questions: Ruth Muhtsun Community Involvement Coordinator 312-886-6595 muhtsun.ruth@epa.gov EPA Chicago Office address: U.S. EPA Region 5 77 W. Jackson Blvd. Chicago, IL 60604 For additional information: Jim Stockinger Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 651-757-2164 j im. stockinger@state .mn .us Aaron Chavez Solid and Hazardous Waste Compliance Ramsey County 651-266-1182' aaron.chavez@co.ramsey.mn.us EPA to Begin Cleanup of Hazardous Waste Plating Inc. St. Paul, Minnesota August 2017 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will begin a hazardous waste cleanup and local community outreach around the Plating Inc. site at 888 N. Prior Ave.in St. Paul. The former industrial facility specialized in zinc and chromate plating of aluminum and is now abandoned. EPA calls the cleanup a "time-critical removal action." Federal law allows EPA to step in and remove hazardous waste from a private business when the pollution poses an imminent health threat if released into the environment. Starting in August, EPA staff will begin door-to-door outreach to notify residents living close to the site about the removal action and answer any concerns. Currently, EPA officials have secured the building to reduce the threat of any chemical releases. EPA will be conducting air monitoring in the building and at the perimeter to ensure that residents and nearby business occupants are not exposed during the removal process. EPA will also develop a contingency plan to notify all state, county and local officials and residents if there is an emergency. During the cleanup, the federal Agency will combine and package hazardous materials for off-site disposal. The abandoned facility houses more than 80 chemical vats containing hazardous waste such as cyanide, caustics and chromium. It also contains nearly 80 drums and totes with various chemicals. Asbestos-containing material was also found to have broken off tanks and piping due to deteriorating building conditions. Cleanup of the hazardous waste will be conducted during normal business hours to minimize disturbance to the neighborhood. The cleanup is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Site history The Plating Inc. site was in use as a plating shop since around 1938. The site consists of a 21,100 square-foot commercial building with several homes and businesses sitting close to the structure. In 2013, state of Minnesota officials discovered compliance issues during a routine hazardous waste inspection. In April 2016, the owner/operator of the facility abandoned the facility after incomplete efforts to return to compliance. In response, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency conducted a site visit last December. MPCA staff discovered that many of the open process vats and vessels were left full, and there were large quantities of hazardous substances remaining in the building. ------- |