Sunday, August 24, 2008

Contractor cited for contaminants at SI demo site

The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has criminally cited the contractor demolishing Sun Chemical plant in Staten Island's Rosebank neighborhood for allegedly spewing contaminants into the air.

The citation was levied yesterday against LVI/Mazzocchi Wrecking Co. of East Hanover, N.J., less than a week after the Advance chronicled neighbors' complaints about escaping dust that has shrouded their property with a pink residue and even tinted some animals. On Wednesday, Borough President James P. Molinaro contacted DEC, expressing concern about the project at the former color pigment plant on Tompkins Avenue.


Contractor demolishing Staten Island chemical plant cited for alleged contaminants

The misdemeanor charge accuses LVI/Mazzocchi of violating DEC regulations prohibiting the emission of air contaminants outdoors "injurious to human, plant or animal life or to property" or which "unreasonably interfere" with the "comfortable enjoyment" of life or property.

The conditions must be rectified immediately, according to a DEC spokesman, who added the agency will conduct further inspections.

LVI/Mazzocchi potentially faces a fine ranging from $375 to $15,000, jail time of up to a year for an official or both. A cursory review showed no other violations on file for the company, said the DEC spokesman.

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