EPA Completes Hazardous Material Removal from Illegal Lab in Reedley, California
SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has completed removal of hazardous chemicals from an unlicensed laboratory in Reedley, California. The cleanup of the material from the unauthorized lab owned by Universal MediTech Inc. and Prestige Biotech Inc. was carried out by contractors overseen by an onsite EPA official. All recovered hazardous material was safely packaged and transported offsite for incineration at standard disposal facilities. The work was undertaken in coordination with local, state, and federal agencies.
The EPA’s removal action took place at the request of state officials and began after the removal of all biological and medical waste had been completed. The EPA contractors removed over 800 containers of standard lab chemicals such as nitric acid, phosphoric acid, and sodium hydroxide, along with flammable liquids. Some of the hazardous chemicals were found stored in containers that were incorrectly marked or incompatible for chemical storage, such as water bottles and laundry detergent containers. The EPA had initially planned on spending one to two weeks on site but was able to complete the removal actions in four days.
Chemicals and other types of hazardous material that are improperly stored and managed can pose serious threats to human health and the environment.
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