Criminal complaint filed against recycling facility for illegal storage and disposal of metals

According to the complaint, Panda International Trading Co., Inc. and Da Xiong Pan has knowingly treated and stored hazardous waste.

CALIFORNIA (Scrap Monster): The Los Angeles County Superior Court has filed a criminal complaint against a Maywood metal recycling firm, Panda International Trading Co., Inc. and its owner Da Xiong Pan. The five-count indictment states that the facility was spotted for improper handling and disposal of hazardous metals on multiple occasions. An earlier investigation by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) had identified violation of the state’s hazardous waste control laws at the facility.

According to the complaint, Panda International Trading Co., Inc. and Da Xiong Pan has knowingly treated and stored hazardous waste such as Copper, Lead, Zinc and Cadmium at the facility on or around June 4, 2013, without having necessary permit from DTSC. According to the second felony count, the accused have knowingly caused hazardous substances to be deposited into or upon road, street, highway, alley, railroad right-of-way, upon the land of another or into the waters of the state on the same day.

On or about November 20, 2013, the accused have committed a felony by knowingly disposing and causing disposal of hazardous waste such as Copper, Lead, Zinc, Cadmium, Nickel and Chromium without possessing permit from DTSC. The indictment also cites incidents of treating and storing the above hazardous materials on the same date. The complaint also notes that Panda International Trading Co., Inc. and Da Xiong Pan were involved in public disposal of hazardous substances.

The criminal action is on the basis of a warrant issued by DTSC in November 2013. The search warrant was executed on the scrap metal facility, as part of an ongoing investigation that began with a routine inspection by DTSC’s Office of Criminal Investigations (OCI) and was based on the evidence that black dust is being illegally released and deposited on the public sidewalk in front of the recycling facility. DTSC had also noted that the black dust is likely to contain high levels of harmful metals. The inspection was carried out with the assistance of other agencies including the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Los Angeles Port Police, Los Angeles Public Works, Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board, Los Angeles County Fire Department Health Hazardous Material Division and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

It must be noted that a huge magnesium-fueled fire was reported at the same facility on Tuesday morning 2.30 AM. The three-alarm fire, which triggered multiple explosions, had forced hundreds of evacuation and had left many without power. Odor from the fire was reported from as far away as the San Fernando Valley. The fire burned a commercial building and a scrap storage yard. The fire was extinguished after nearly 30 hours, said fire officials at the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

About Panda International Trading Co., Inc.

The facility is located at 3570, Friutland Ave., Maywood City, California. It receives handles and stores cathode ray tubes, old appliances and consumer products which contain mercury, lead, cadmium and other substances that are hazardous to human health and the environment.

• City of Hoboken, NJ Announces Finalization of Zero Waste Plan
• 29th April, 2024: Chinese Scrap Metal Prices Edged Lower on Index
• SeaSweepers Kicks Off Ocean Plastic Recycling Pilot by Conducting Partnership Research Tours
• Southold, NY’s First Solid Waste Coordinator Retires After 34 Years