Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn is putting pressure on state regulators to clamp down on a local waste management facility accused of flouting toxic substance laws. In a move that underscores her mounting concerns for public safety, Hahn sent a blistering letter to Meredith Williams, head of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), urging her to close Phibro-Tech in Santa Fe Springs until it falls in line with regulations.
Per details released in an official bulletin by the County of Los Angeles, the facility, nestled uncomfortably close to homes and schools – less than 400 yards away – has a checkered history with state health and safety laws. Specifically, DTSC inspectors tagged Phibro-Tech with 19 class one violations and four class two violations. Sanctions and fines were levied to the tune of $495,000 for the company's handling of hazardous materials, including wastewater laden with dangerous concentrations of copper, lead, chromium, nickel, sulfates, and chlorides.
Hahn's concerns resonate with the nearby unincorporated community of Los Nietos, which bears the brunt of proximity. In the letter to the DTSC, Hahn did not mince words: "Not only do I urge the DTSC not to approve a new permit for this facility, I believe that this facility needs to be shut down entirely until it can come into compliance with the law." Her sentiments echo the frustration and anxiety of Los Nietos residents who are weary of living in the shadow of an industrial giant that repeatedly violates environmental regulations.
Documented incidents at the Phibro-Tech site, beyond the mere storage and treatment of toxic waste, tell a story of real human toll. Following a spate of accidents, including an employee suffering acid burns and another sprayed in the face with hydrochloric acid, CalOSHA cited the company for unsafe working conditions. These episodes of corporate neglect are thrown into stark relief when considering the facility's location – mere yards from places where children learn and play.
The widening chasm between public well-being and industrial interest is at the heart of Hahn's plea. As the DTSC gears up to make a final decision on Phibro-Tech's operational permit later this month, Hahn's call to action sets the stage for a crucial intervention in the name of environmental justice and community health.
