According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Paul W. Zimmerman Foundries Co. in Columbia, PA, agreed to pay a $30,000 penalty to settle alleged violations of hazardous waste regulations.

The brass foundry was cited for alleged violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

As detailed by the EPA, a January 2005 inspection by EPA and the Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection turned up a series of RCRA violations, including: improperly storing over 6,000 kilograms of lead-containing waste in six containers; failing to place required hazardous waste warning labels on these containers; failing to mark the storage period of this material; failing to conduct required weekly inspections of the hazardous waste storage area; failing to conduct required employee training on hazardous waste management; and failing to have an emergency plan to deal with hazardous waste releases. This case is part of EPA’s foundry enforcement initiative.

The settlement resolves the allegations, but the company has not admitted liability (nor has it denied it) and has agreed to certify its compliance with the applicable RCRA requirements.