PLANT OWNER PAYING FOR LEAD CLEANUP $405,000 GOES TO CALIFORNIA.Byline: Jim Skeen Staff Writer ROSAMOND - The owner of a defunct recycling plant contaminated contaminated, v 1. made radioactive by the addition of small quantities of radioactive material. 2. made contaminated by adding infective or radiographic materials. 3. an infective surface or object. with high levels of lead and other metals has paid the state $405,000 for cleanup and legal costs, state officials announced. John Alexander paid the state for its costs associated with the investigation and cleanup of the former John Alexander Research nickel catalyst recycling operation at 1753 Sierra Highway, ending a legal battle that began in 1998, Department of Toxic Substances Control officials said. The 5-acre site was part of a cancer cluster cancer cluster Epidemiology A cancer that occurs in a group of people living or working in a geographically defined region who may share one or more environmental factors–eg, DES, and a characteristic lesion–eg, vaginal adenoCA, in common. See Clusters. investigation in the 1980s and 1990s and was listed on the state's Superfund list. Soil tests conducted in 1987 as part of an investigation into a cluster of childhood cancer cases in Rosamond showed high levels of lead, zinc and nickel at the plant. The plant closed in 1990. In all, about two dozen contaminated recycling plants, dumps and other properties were identified in Rosamond and in Mojave, but none was linked to the cancer cluster, which involved eight children between 1975 and 1984. Cleanup actions at the plant included the removal of 2,365 drums of containerized con·tain·er·ize v.tr. con·tain·er·ized, con·tain·er·iz·ing, con·tain·er·iz·es 1. To package (cargo) in large standardized containers for efficient shipping and handling. 2. waste and the spraying of contaminated soil with a polymer coating. In 1993, huts and sheds at the plant were torn down and decontaminated, and the metal was shipped off for disposal or recycling. Several abandoned vehicles also were removed and scrapped. Industrial equipment was decontaminated and removed. The state's Attorney General's Office initiated legal action on behalf of the Department of Toxic Substances Control to recover its costs. The DTSC DTSC Department of Toxic Substances Control DTSC DARCOM Technical Steering Committee prevailed during a trial held in federal court, winning a judgment on March 28, 2002. On Aug. 4, 2003, the 9th U.S. Circuit Appeals upheld the decision of the federal court. DTSC and Alexander negotiated the final settlement amount. At the plant, which closed in 1990, the main contaminant contaminant /con·tam·i·nant/ (kon-tam´in-int) something that causes contamination. contaminant something that causes contamination. was lead, which was found in levels from 5 parts per million parts per million mg/kg or ml/l; see ppm. to 160,000 parts per million. State officials recommend cleanup at levels between 500 and 600 parts per million. Lead is considered a potential carcinogen carcinogen: see cancer. carcinogen Agent that can cause cancer. Exposure to one or more carcinogens, including certain chemicals, radiation, and certain viruses, can initiate cancer under conditions not completely understood. and is known to cause damage to the kidneys and the nervous system. High levels of lead in the bloodstream can cause severe learning disabilities and health disorders. Jim Skeen, (661) 267-5743 james.skeen(at)dailynews.com |
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