Document X8knQm8945jvJnnakwG6wORMK
DATE: SUBJECT: FROM: THRU: TO:
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGIONS
77 WEST JACKSON BOULEYARD CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60604
NOV 2 12018
CLEAN AIR ACT INSPECTION REPORT Southwest Metal Recycling, Houston, Texas
Natalie Topinka, Environmental Scientist AECAB (IL/IN)
Nathan Frank, Section Chief AECAB (IL/IN)
File
BASIC INFORMATION
Facility Name: Southwest Metal Recycling
Facility Location: 9435 Ronda Lane, Houston, Texas
Date of Inspection: November 9, 2018
EPA Inspector(s): 1. Natalie Topinka, Environmental Scientist 2. Scott Connolly, Environmental Engineer
Other Attendees 1. Brian Brand, Owner, Southwest Metal Recycling
Contact Email Address: nancyjbrand@yahoo.com
Purpose of Inspection: Assess compliance with the refrigerant disposal requirements
Facility Type: scrap metal recycler
Regulations Central to Inspection: 40 C.F.R Part 82, Subpart F
Arrival Time: 8:07 am Departure Time: 8:40 am
Inspection Type: IZl Unannounced Inspection D Announced Inspection
OPENING CONFERENCE
IZI Credentials Presented IZI CBI warning to facility provided
The following information was obtained verbally from Mr. Brand unless otherwise noted.
Process Description: Southwest Metal Recycling accepts ferrous and non-ferrous metals for recycling, primarily from members of the general public. The facility accepts small appliances and hulks/carcasses of vehicles. No recovery ofrefrigerants from appliances or vehicles is done on-site.
Staff Interview: Mr. Brand stated that items come into the yard from customers and go directly into rolloff boxes after a brief period of sorting. There is a shredder on-site but Mr. Brand stated that it was not financially viable and it is in the process of being dismantled. Mr. Brand stated that Southwest Metals has a statement on its scale tickets related to refrigerants in appliances, but his office staff member was not on-site at the time of our inspection and so we did not obtain a copy of the ticket for review.
TmJR INFORMATION
EPA toured the facility: Yes
Data Collected and Observations: We observed several dismantled small appliances on the scrap pile, and at least one that appeared to be intact.
Photos and/or Videos: were taken during the inspection.
Field Measurements: were not taken during this inspection.
CLOSING CONFERENCE
Compliance Assistance: We gave an overview of the regulatory requirements and compliance options in 40 C.F.R. Part 82, Subpart F.
Concerns: We discussed with Mr. Brand our observations that there were small appliances on Southwest's scrap pile that did not appear to have had the refrigerant properly recovered prior to delivery to the facility.
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SIGNATURES
Date:
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Facility Name: Southwest Metal Recycling Facility Location: 9435 Ronda Lane, Houston, Texas Date of Inspection: November 9, 2018
APPENDICES AND ATTACHMENTS
1.
Digital Image Log
Digital Images att2.cbed on CD
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Ji:acility Name~ Southwest Metal Recycling Facility Location: 9435 Ronda Lane, Houston, Texas Date of Inspection: November 9, 2018
APPENDIX A: DIGITAL IMAGE LOG
1. Inspector Name: Scott Connolly
3. Company/Facility Name: Southwest Metal Recycling
5. Number of Images: 5
2. Date(s) of Inspection: November 9, 2018
4. Street Address, City, State:
9435 Ronda Lane, Houston, Texas
6. Archival Record Location:
CD-R labeled Southwest Metal Recycling Inspection photos, November 9, 2018
Image Number
70 71
72
73 74
File Name PB090070.JPG PB090071.JPG
PB090072.JPG
PB090073.JPG PB090074.JPG
Date and Time (CST)
11/9/2018 10:23 11/9/2018 10:24
11/9/2018 10:26
11/9/2018 10:27 11/9/2018 10:28
Latitude and Longitude 29.672182, -95.543003 29.67177, -95.543278
29.671389, -95.543333
29.671535, -95.543422 29.671513, -95.543453
Description of Image Southwest Metal Recycling- office
reference photo Southwest Metal Recycling - wide angle
of main ferrous scrap pile Southwest Metal Recycling- small
appliance on scrap pile with cut refrigerant line
Southwest Metal Recycling - small appliance with dismantled refrigerant
circuitry Southwest Metal Recycling -view of
small appliances in scrap pile
Appendices Page 1 of 1