Initiative to Prevent Contamination from Radiator Repair Shop Waste

ADEQ Director Steve Owens announced that ADEQ has launched an initiative to ensure that radiator repair shops in Arizona comply with hazardous waste rules & prevent contamination from repair shop wastes.

"This initiative will prevent future contamination by stopping releases of hazardous materials from radiator shops," Owens said. "It also will help shop owners save time & money by ensuring that they follow appropriate pollution-control, pollution-prevention & recycling practices."

ADEQ estimates that there are about 150 radiator repair shops in Arizona. The major contaminant from radiator shops is lead, which can threaten the health & safety of shop employees & the public. Other common pollutants from radiator shops include caustic solutions, sludge & sandblasting media. Owens noted that many radiator shops inspected recently by ADEQ were not in compliance with the law due to lead contamination from poor waste management.

As part of the initiative, ADEQ is sending a questionnaire to radiator repair shops to make sure they are complying with hazardous waste rules. Shops that complete the questionnaire in a timely fashion & respond to any necessary follow-up questions will not be subject to hazardous waste enforcement action by ADEQ.

ADEQ is also inviting radiator shop operators to participate in free workshops in Phoenix & Tucson that will provide information on how to handle hazardous waste:

March 22nd, 9 am-noon; April 11th, 1 pm-4 pm; April 20th, 9 am-noon at ADEQ, 1110 W. Washington St., Phoenix.

April 23rd, 1 pm-4 pm at ADEQ's Southern Regional Office, Room 44, 400 West Congress, Tucson.

More information on the workshops is available from ADEQ, 602-771-4849, toll free: 800-234-5677 Ext. 771-4849.

"This initiative is modeled after a successful similar effort ADEQ conducted for the boat manufacturing industry," Owens said. "We want to give radiator shop owners the information they need to prevent contamination from hazardous materials at their shops & ensure that employees, the public & the environment are protected. It is a win-win for everybody."