All News Releases By Date

U.S. EPA settles with Glidden Co. for $95,000 over hazardous chemicals cleanup in Riverside County

Release Date: 10/5/2005
Contact Information: Dean Higuchi, 808-541-2711, higuchi.dean@epa.gov

LOS ANGELES - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recently settled with paint manufacturer Glidden Co. for $95,000 in cleanup costs at an abandoned drum site in Riverside County, outside of Los Angeles.

"The generators of hazardous waste are responsible for seeing that their waste materials are disposed of properly," said Dan Meer, chief of the EPA Pacific Southwest Region's Emergency Response, Planning and Assessment Branch. "We are glad to see that Glidden Co. is sharing some of the cost for cleaning up these hazardous materials."

In June 2004, the EPA investigated four abandoned 48-foot tractor trailers that contained resins, polymers, paint wastes, solvents and heavy metal sludge, located at the Perris Drum site at 19834 Carroll Street in Perris. The EPA determined that the trailers were holding hazardous substances, and subject to response under of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act or Superfund law.

The trailers were owned by John Jones, a trucker who had previously operated a waste hauling business from 1960 to 1980. Three trailers were located on Jones' property and while another vehicle was parked on a parcel belonging to his brother, Robert Jones.

The EPA removed approximately 1,000 containers, ranging in size from 5-gallon paint cans to 55-gallon drums. The containers were severely deteriorated and had to be carefully packaged for shipment and disposal. The EPA's cleanup at the trailers cost approximately $206,396.

Because it is believed that at least some of the paint cans were transported under the orders of a paint manufacturer since acquired by Glidden, Glidden Co. will share in the clean up costs.

For more information on the EPA's Superfund program, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/superfund/action/law/cercla.htm

# # #