EPA
barrels of hazardous chemicals

Cyanide, Caustics and Chromium: EPA Begins Cleanup at Abandoned Plating Company

Aug. 7, 2017
EPA announces cleanup of abandoned industrial site in St. Paul, Minn.

EPA shortly will begin a hazardous waste cleanup at Plating Inc., an abandoned zinc and chromate plating facility at 888 N. Prior Ave. in St. Paul, Minn.

The 21,100 square-foot building houses 82 open vats of cyanide, caustics and chromium, along with another 76 drums of other chemicals. Asbestos also been found in the deteriorating building.

EPA expects it will cost $1.6 million and take about 65 work days to clean up spilled chemicals, empty and clean the vats and dispose of all hazardous waste.

The agency said it will go door-to-door in the surrounding community to notify residents and business owners and respond to their questions and concerns about the project. 

For information about the project as it unfolds, visit: response.epa.gov/Plating-Inc

About the Author

Sandy Smith

Sandy Smith is the former content director of EHS Today, and is currently the EHSQ content & community lead at Intelex Technologies Inc. She has written about occupational safety and health and environmental issues since 1990.

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