Root Paint & Glass Company was an industrial paint facility that specialized in the painting of bridges and other industrial applications. While in operation there was improper storage and disposal of on-site spent-thinners, discarded or off-speculation solvent/oil based paint materials, and specialized finishes and paint coatings. Washington Department of Ecology requested EPA assitance. While on the site visit, EPA & Ecology observed about 900 containers as described below:
• Numerous containers, ranging in size from 1-pint to 55 gallons, suspected to contain latex and oil-based paint products including numerous specialty coatings. Several of the containers are labeled “corrosive” and/or “flammable”; however, many containers lack labels or the labels could not be read. In addition, many containers are corroded, rusted, or leaking.
• Two 55-gallon drums suspected to contain methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), toluene, and methylene chloride.
• Three 55-gallon drums suspected to contain Cuprasol, a copper plating solution.
• Numerous spent fluorescent tubes likely containing mercury and ballast containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
• An area of ash and unburned paint waste on the ground surface of the yard
