The owner of the now-decommissioned Ventura County drying work has been ordered to pay Los Angeles County more than $30,000 to dump 110 gallons of hazardous waste, officials announced this week.
In a news release, a prosecutor with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office said Shija Cho, the former owner of the unique cleaner at 2307 East Main Street, dumped two 55-gallon drums labeled as “hazardous waste” at Reseda Alleyway in July 2024, discarding them about a month after the unique cleaner was closed.
One abandoned toxic materials contained perchlorethylene, a drill cleaning solvent regulated by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency, while the second barrel contained used filters and sludges for dry cleaning operations.
“Lab analysis confirmed that the contents are both dangerous under state and federal laws due to toxic levels well above regulatory thresholds,” the official said.
Drip cleaners from Ventura County abandoned LA County toxic waste barrels in July 2024. (VCDA) abandoned LA County toxic waste barrels from Ventura County in July 2024. Poisonous waste in LA County in July 2024
Prosecutors presented evidence including interviews, photographs, laboratory reports and manifesto of hazardous waste that showed that the toxic substances were not disposed of by licensed hazardous waste carriers, which were illegally and improperly transported and abandoned at Receda.
In the settlement reached with Cho this month, Driclean will not only ensure compliance with the Hazardous Waste Act with a new drying operation at Camarillo, but will also pay $32,065 in civil penalties and costs.
“Our office is committed to protecting public health and the environment by holding businesses accountable for the safe handling and disposal of hazardous materials,” said Da Erik Nasarenko. “This case strengthens the responsibility of business owners to manage toxic waste responsibly from generation to final disposal.”
Source link
