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April 11, 2002
The State Department of Health (DOH) has filed a complaint and order
against Bonded Materials Company (Bonded) for alleged violations of the
state’s hazardous waste rules.The alleged violations occurred at
two Bonded facilities located at 150 Puuhale Road (Puuhale) and 91-400
Komohana Street (Komohana).
In February, 2001 DOH received a complaint from a former employee of
Bonded alleging improper disposal of hazardous chemicals. DOH conducted
an inspection and found that Bonded was transporting its old stock of
chemicals from Puuhale to Komohana and disposing of these chemicals at
Komohana.At Komohana, the old stock of chemicals, including flammable
liquids, resins and other materials, were dumped into a makeshift
“bin” that Bonded built out of old pallets and lined with
plastic. The chemicals in the bin were then mixed with cement and
allowed to dry. After the mixture hardened, the concrete mixture was
thrown into the dumpster for disposal.
The complainant further alleged that upon being directed to mix the
chemicals in the above-referenced process he was not given the
appropriate protective safety equipment and was only provided a paper
facemask. Consequently, the chemicals spilled and splashed on him and
caused him to suffer chemical burns to his body and also caused him to
develop respiratory problems.
DOH also observed that Bonded stored approximately 100 55-gallon
drums at its Komohana facility. Many of the 55-gallon drums were in
poor condition - rusted, open, bulging on top, dented or leaking.
Moreover, Bonded did not make a hazardous waste determination on these
drums or on the waste chemicals from Puuhale.
Based upon DOH’s investigation, including but not limited to
the information referenced above, DOH cited Bonded with seven counts:
1) treatment of hazardous waste without a permit; 2) storage of
hazardous waste without a permit; 3) failure to make a hazardous waste
determination at Komohana; 4) mismanagement of containers; 5) failure
to make a hazardous waste determination at Puuhale; 6) illegal
transportation of hazardous waste; and 7) failure to provide
appropriate training.
DOH has assessed a penalty of $265,144 against Bonded and has
ordered Bonded to comply with State hazardous waste rules for the cited
violations according to a schedule established by the State.
Bonded has twenty days to respond to the order.
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