Letter 11078

Help needed. Zinc plating with Cyanide in residential area. 

Hello,

We are looking for some help. A 5000 square foot complex specialising in Nickle plating is attempting to open in the Dublin 7 (Ireland) residential area. I would like, briefly to explain who I am. I live on the Annamoe road, which is backing onto the proposed site of the complex. The company is called [name withheld by finishing.com as cannot verify the facts of this complaint] and three years ago the building on the site burnt to the ground. Everyone's home was damaged, some seriously. The company has been granted permission by Dublin Corporation to build a much bigger plant on the existing site. I have examined the plans and can see little or no allowance for safety. The EPA are not being helpful or informative.

If the plant is built it would contain Sodium Hydroxide powder, Sodium Cyanide, Caustic Soda and Hydrochloric acid, at least that is the information which has been supplied to the corporation. It will be primarily, a Zinc Plating operation.

There was no indication, in the plans, of special tanks which would protect the water table, I believe that they have a particular name, and that they are fitted with something called rebars. Nor is there any indication in the plans, of an air filtration system. I believe it is called a water scrubbing extraction system- is this correct. Our main concerns are in the area of the gas' released by the process of electroplating and the impact on the ground water as well as soil. We have photo's of the company disposing of acid down an open drain.

The following topic headings are what we are concerned about. If you could let us have your thoughts on them it might make it easier to convey the information by email than over the phone.

What are the educational qualifications to operate such a company:

Impact on air:
Impact on water:
Impact on soil:
Cancer (Cancer Clusters have appeared in this area)
Health in general:
Health of staff (position of canteen relative to work area):
Regulatory bodies who will advise on this area:

Any help you could give would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Tom Byrne
The Illustration Business - Dublin

If this firm was photographed pouring acid down an open drain, I have a hard time believing that you have no regulatory authority who can take action on it.

You previously inquired on this issue as published in letter 9667. Myself and another fellow offered our thoughts as requested--please look for them there.

You obviously are not looking for a balanced assessment, but rather are looking for ammunition to torpedo the plating shop's plans. So I think it's a bit silly to expect the shops, suppliers, and consultants who are already paying the cost of operation of this site (for which you are paying nothing), to also spend their time to volunteer the ammunition you seek.

I am not unsympathetic to you--nobody really wants anything in their backyard, be it a fast food restaurant, a plating shop, or an illustration business. But when you want advocacy, you should expect to pay for it: hire an attorney and expert witness.

 
Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com Inc. - Brick, NJ

If you need more response, I will chip in and also agree with Ted. I question your motives for gathering this type of information. Are you giving this plater a fair assessment, or are you out to get them?

Buildings catch on fire whether it is a residential home, or a business. Hopefully, this plating company was doing what I could to prevent an accidental fire.

Also, I would really be surprised if the new plating facility did not include plans for a complete wastewater treatment system that would prevent hazardous chemicals from being discahrged into the environment. There are governmental agencies in most Western countries that regulate, investigate, and enforce environmental legislation. Plans for this plant surely must have secured environmental approval.

Tim Neveau
- Rochester Hills, MI

I want to post a question or inquiry of my own.

 

I want to answer or follow-up on this question publicly (in non-commercial fashion).

 

I am a supporting advertiser and want to reach the inquirer privately.