Press Release - Friday, March 03, 2006
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Illinois EPA Director seals Highland property due to environmental hazards
SPRINGFIELD — Illinois EPA Director Doug Scott has issued an order to seal the property identified as Minton Enterprises, Inc., located at 5 West Monroe Street Highland, Madison County, from public access due to health and safety concerns from unpermitted hazardous materials found on the site.
The Seal Order restricts public access to the site, and prohibits entry by anyone except authorized personnel in the performance of official duties. Those entering the site must also comply with applicable OSHA regulations.
The site is located in a primarily commercial and industrial area, but a few residences are also nearby. The owner, who is currently incarcerated in Tennessee, has abandoned the facility.
The Illinois EPA inspected the site on February 22 and discovered that the facility is comprised of two buildings, including a main plating building and an outside storage warehouse. Power to the main plating building was shut off in July 2005.
The outside storage warehouse is separated into three bays, and contained approximately 150 55-gallon drums, and is open to the environment. Many of these drums contained acids, such as phosphoric, nitric and chromic. One container was labeled sodium hydrosulfite, which is a spontaneously combustible chemical. One drum contained phosphoric acid, which is highly corrosive.
The main plating building contained approximately 50 drums, all of which appeared to be full. Plating lines and the plating baths were full of solution. In addition, there were another 22 drums on the floor.
The Illinois EPA also found evidence of trespassing, which increases the danger to the public. The Illinois EPA believes that the site poses an immediate health threat to anyone entering the site.
The Seal Order will remain in effect until rescinded by Director Scott.
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