AKRON, Ohio — A June inspection by Ohio EPA has revealed serious environmental and public health risks at SRP Industries LLC in Akron, culminating in a sweeping Notice of Violation that catalogues widespread hazardous waste failures, oil discharges, and potential mercury exposure—prompting state and federal scrutiny.
Located at 1833 E. Market Street, the SRP facility was found to be littered with drums, totes, and containers of unidentified chemicals—many visibly degraded, unlabeled, or exposed to the elements. Officials also confirmed an illegal discharge of used oil into the Cuyahoga River through an old drainpipe once covered by a now-terminated NPDES permit.
A breakdown of the top five violations, according to Ohio EPA’s inspection documents and follow-up correspondence:
1. Massive Failure to Determine Hazardous Waste Status
Rule Violated: OAC 3745-52-11
Hundreds of untested chemical containers—some oily, caustic, flammable, or visibly degraded—were found scattered throughout the site. Without characterizing these materials, SRP left workers and the surrounding environment vulnerable to fire, toxic vapor release, soil contamination, and groundwater pollution.
2. Uncontained Oil Spills & Confirmed River Discharge
Rule Violated: OAC 3745-279-22(D)
Used oil was observed pooled around equipment, seeping from gearboxes and storage pits, and eventually traced to an unauthorized discharge pipe that flowed into the Cuyahoga River. The agency called out a “confirmed release,” warning that the act likely constitutes a violation of the federal Clean Water Act.
3. Broken Mercury Lamps Litter Interior Floors
Rule Violated: OAC 3745-273-13(D)(2)
Ohio EPA documented shattered fluorescent tubes throughout the building with no attempt at containment. Mercury vapor exposure in enclosed spaces poses known neurological risks, particularly to children and pregnant individuals.
4. Failure to Classify Hazardous Waste Generator Status
Rule Violated: OAC 3745-52-13
SRP failed to determine its hazardous waste generator category—information critical for reporting, emergency planning, and compliance with accumulation limits. If the company generates more than 1,000 kg per month, it qualifies as a large quantity generator, which carries the highest regulatory oversight.
5. Deteriorating Drums, Bags, and Bulk Waste Storage
Across nearly every section of the facility, state officials observed ruptured sacks of unknown powders, unlabeled drums of petroleum distillates, caustic sodium hydroxide, and unsecured steel tanks—some capable of holding up to 20,000 gallons. Rain or heat, officials warned, could spark dangerous chemical reactions or leach toxins into surrounding soil and stormwater drains.
📍 Site Hazards at a Glance
- Waste oil traced from interior leaks directly to the Cuyahoga River
- 45+ cubic-yard boxes of chemicals, some breached and spilling
- Large outdoor tanks holding unknown volumes of liquid
- Office area showed signs of past fire damage
- Workers appeared to be salvaging metal, not managing waste
- Ohio EPA assigned the facility an EPA ID for tracking purposes
- U.S. EPA and Akron Fire officials have been notified of ongoing concerns
💥 Regulatory Fallout Expected
SRP Industries has 14 days from receipt of the June 25 letter to provide cleanup documentation and resolve its violations. Failure to comply could trigger civil penalties or federal enforcement action. A full inspection report is pending release.
Ohio EPA has characterized the violations as “significant,” with multiple confirmed and potential pathways of environmental contamination still unaddressed.
Add comment
Comments