Hazardous Materials

A business that sells and services dishwashing machines has been charged with four misdemeanor counts stemming from allegations that it illegally transported hazardous materials, the city attorney said. Lo-Car Enterprises Inc.

Ventura County supervisors Tuesday agreed to move forward with plans to streamline the county's hazardous waste and materials inspections. Currently, the county's Resource Management Agency and Fire Department both search for code violations at businesses that deal with hazardous materials. But under a plan unanimously adopted by supervisors, the Resource Management Agency would be responsible for the inspections, ending the Fire Department's duplicate efforts.

The Torrance City Council has delayed action on an ordinance to tighten controls on the use and storage of acutely hazardous chemicals in the city. The council Tuesday was to consider whether to hire a law firm to study further regulating acutely hazardous materials used by more than a 100 companies throughout Torrance. Instead, City Atty. Kenneth L. Nelson suggested that the council delay action until Aug.

There is something wrong with our system. How can society selectively condemn and condone unsafe practices simultaneously? Let me be specific: Currently, two of the biggest concerns in local government are "hazardous materials" and "liability." The state Legislature is coming up with numerous rules and regulations to restrict and limit hazardous materials and fix liabilities for their improper handling. The rationale given for this legislation is that "hazardous materials are dangerous."

A collection of household hazardous materials is scheduled Dec. 2 at Park Place, 3333 Michelson Drive. Sponsored by the county Fire Department, the event gives residents a chance to dispose of toxic chemicals found in common household items, such as cleaning solutions, drain openers, paint, paint thinner and pesticides. For information, call (714) 744-0564.

The ski patrol had been at work since first light, inspecting Mammoth Mountain's reopened runs after a week of heavy snow and blustery winds. By midmorning Thursday, seven of them had set to work digging out a nearly buried fence erected to keep skiers away from one of the mountain's dangerous volcanic vents. Suddenly, the snow beneath them gave way. Two of the ski patrollers dropped into a 21-foot maw filled with deadly carbon dioxide fumes and landed on the ground, trapped in a deep hollow.

The city will turn to the private sector in an effort to avoid what it believes are excessive new charges for emergency handling of hazardous materials. The City Council authorized City Manager Lee Risner and City Atty. Richard D. Jones to enter into a contract for handling hazardous materials with Disposal Control Services Inc. by Oct 1. For the past five years, the service has been provided free by Anaheim. Effective Oct. 1, however, the service will cost $68,400 annually.

A garage fire early Saturday caused $36,000 in damage and triggered a response from the county's Hazardous Materials Unit after firefighters learned that cyanide had been stored in the garage. Hazardous materials inspectors concluded that no cyanide had been released. County firefighters responded to the fire in the 1400 block of Dara Street in Camarillo at 12:24 a.m. Fire investigators believe the fire erupted when a combustible material was ignited by a water heater pilot light.

In response to the high number of toxic chemical accidents in the Santa Clarita, San Fernando and Antelope valleys, the Los Angeles County Fire Department announced Monday that a $700,000-a-year hazardous material unit has begun operating out of a Valencia fire station.