Contact EPA Pacific Southwest Cleanup
Pacific Southwest, Region 9
Serving: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Pacific Islands, Tribal Nations
Clean Harbors Los Angeles, LLC
On this page:
Facility Description
Clean Harbors Los Angeles, LLC (Clean Harbors) is a commercial hazardous waste treatment, storage, and transfer facility located approximately two miles south of Downtown Los Angeles in the industrial city of Vernon, California, at the intersection of East Slauson Ave and South Alameda St. Clean Harbors accepts polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) waste as well as non-PCB hazardous wastes which are generated offsite.
What Is EPA's Role At The Facility?
EPA regulates the handling of PCB waste at the Clean Harbors facility under a Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) permit. The State of California’s Department of Toxic Substances Control, authorized under federal law, regulates the handling of hazardous waste under a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) hazardous waste permit.
View Larger Map
Facility Location denoted by Tab ‘A’
On October 24, 2013, EPA issued a permit to allow Clean Harbors to continue storing PCB waste. That permit will be valid for 10 years. EPA also regularly conducts inspections of the facility to ensure that the existing permit conditions are being followed. Such inspections are unannounced and include random wipe sampling to check for residues and evidence of chemical releases.
EPA has concluded, based on a thorough review of the permit application, that Clean Harbors satisfies the TSCA requirements for storage of PCBs. EPA has also concluded that PCB operations at the Facility do not pose an unreasonable risk of injury to human health or the environment.
View Larger Map Facility Location denoted by Tab ‘A’
Why Worry about PCBs?
Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs are man-made organic chemicals that were manufactured from 1929 until their manufacture was banned in 1979. Due to their unique chemical properties, PCBs were used in hundreds of industrial and commercial applications (e.g., insulating fluids). Unfortunately, PCBs are a class of toxic chemicals that are carcinogenic and may cause other harmful non-cancer effects on the body. Once released into the environment, PCBs last for a long time. Today, one of the largest sources of PCB waste comes from electrical equipment being taken out of service.
Information
To view documents related to permit, including fact sheets, inspections reports, and the final permit, view the Selected Documents tab. For any other questions, please contact the EPA representative below with any questions or comments you may have.
Manager, RCRA Facilities Management Office (WST-4)
Waste Management Division
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Region 9
(415) 947-8708